Emma Raducanu earns first victory since U.S. Open triumph

It took some time, but teenage breakout superstar Emma Raducanu has returned to winning ways for the first time since her shocking U.S. Open triumph. 

Per the BBC and Sky Sports, Raducanu rallied to defeat Polona Hercog 4-6, 7-5, 6-1 Tuesday to advance to the second round of the Transylvania Open held in Romania, her father's home country. It represents the first WTA Tour win for the world No. 23, who fell to Aliaksandra Sasnovich in the second round of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells and then withdrew from the Kremlin Cup in Moscow following her historic win in New York. 

Raducanu is set to face Romanian Ana Bogdan in the tournament's next round. 

"I feel really happy to have won that match," Raducanu, 18, said after the win. "It was very difficult and I wasn't playing my best tennis, but Polona is a great opponent, she's really experienced, so I really had to fight hard to pull that one through.

"I thought by the end of the third set I was playing some better tennis, and the most important thing was I earned another opportunity to play better in the next round." 

Raducanu added about her next opponent: 

"I know Ana a little bit. We spoke off court and she was really nice and friendly. I've never played against her, and she's obviously a great opponent, but I've not seen much of her." 

The Transylvania Open is being held behind closed doors and without paying spectators because of restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

"This means a lot to play in my dad's country," Raducanu said of the victory. "It feels like a huge win.

"It is a shame there aren't fans here, but I hope they were watching and I just wanted to do them proud."