It was a great start for the 2021 US Open winner who reunited with her mentor Mark Petcheybefore the competition, just over a month after splitting with Francisco Roig. Petchey took his place in the stands and could be heard cheering the 23-year-old and shouting words of encouragement. They proved to have an effect as Raducanu had far too much for the former World No. 79. When the first-round win was wrapped up, Raducanu outlined how positive she is feeling, particularly when it comes to returning serve.

When asked about her impressive returning throughout the game, she suggested it was something that had been worked on with Petchey. Raducanu replied: “That was a great kind of show of, I guess my game really today.

“I think I played really well and it was nice to ses the things we have been working on on the practice court transfer and for me, returning is such a big strength of mine.

“I think when I am returning well it makes me a different player to play against than when I am not and I feel like in the last couple of months I have been a bit loose on return games and haven’t found that rhythm. So I don’t think it is perfect yet but I think it is definitely a lot better than where I was feeling.”

She even appeared to suggest she will get better once she fully adapts to the conditions, noting how Zakahrova had been playing in California for longer as a result of the qualifier process she went through. The Brit said: “It was a really good match.

“I am so pleased with it. It’s not easy, I haven’t played a match yet here and my opponent has played three so you always know about that dynamic going in. But I was really pleased with the prep I had done for the last week.

“I felt like my game was heading in a better direction. So for me to have seen proof on the match court was really rewarding and I am just really happy with it.”

Raducanu could face Wimbledon finalist and World No. 6 Amanda Anisimova in the next round. The American faces Anna Blinkova in her first match at Indian Wells.