Picture Credit: X
21-year-old Emma Raducanu on Tuesday, 16th January beat Shelby Rogers 6-3, 6-2 to progress into Round 2 of the Australian Open 2024. With this the British registered her first win in 12 months to make an impressive start on her Grand Slam return. However, her match against Rogers was halted as an uninvited guest took the centre stage.
Also Read: Definite possibility: Andy Murray hints 2024 Australian Open might be his last after Round 1 exit
A large beetle was moving across the baseline on the court as the game was stopped abruptly. However, the ball girl was quick to track the bug out of the court as both players watched in surprise. With this little invasion, the crowd looked stunned but later erupted in laughter and applause as the bug proceeded its slow march.
Watch the video here:
Earlier, during the first-round clash between Dominic Theim and Felix Auger-Aliassime, chaotic scenes unfolded as a seagull took the stage at the Margaret Court Arena. The bird landed on the court, opposite Auger-Aliassime, who was lining up for his second serve.
Coming back to Raducanu, the 21-year-old British, who has not reached the third round of a Grand Slam since winning the US Open in 2021, will next take on China’s Yafan Wang in the second round of the Australian Open on Thursday, 18th January. The World No. 94 is coming after a win over 22-seeded Sorana Cirstea.
