{"id":299108,"date":"2023-12-03T09:39:21","date_gmt":"2023-12-03T09:39:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sports-life-news.com\/?p=299108"},"modified":"2023-12-03T09:39:21","modified_gmt":"2023-12-03T09:39:21","slug":"raducanu-and-djokovics-coach-among-stars-that-defied-odds-at-grand-slams","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sports-life-news.com\/tennis\/raducanu-and-djokovics-coach-among-stars-that-defied-odds-at-grand-slams\/","title":{"rendered":"Raducanu and Djokovic’s coach among stars that defied odds at Grand Slams"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Emma Raducanu became an overnight sensation when she won the US Open as a qualifier in 2021. Ranked at No 150 in the world at the time and playing just her fourth professional tournament, she won 10 matches in a row without dropping a set to end the tournament as the champion. While Raducanu\u2019s feat is one of the most memorable in recent years, she isn\u2019t the only player to have an incredible run to a Grand Slam trophy, with Novak Djokovic\u2019s current coach Goran Ivanisevic and Klim Clijsters among the other stars to defy the odds. Express Sport takes a look at some of the most absurd routes to Major glory.<\/p>\n

Emma Raducanu<\/h3>\n

Raducanu\u2019s run to the US Open trophy in 2021 is worth going over. The Brit was aged just 18 at the time and had completed her A Levels earlier that summer. She already tasted some success when she stormed to the fourth round of Wimbledon as a wildcard ranked at No 338 in the world. But things really took a turn a few weeks later in New York.<\/p>\n

The world No 150, she entered the US Open qualifying event and booked her spot in the main draw, never looking back. She stormed through the tournament without dropping a set, beating the likes of recent Olympic champion Belinda Bencic and 17th seed Maria Sakkari en route to the title. As a result, she became the first qualifier ever to win a Grand Slam and shot straight into the world\u2019s top 25.<\/p>\n

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Goran Ivanisevic<\/h3>\n

Now known for coaching Djokovic, the former world No 2 had one of the best comeback stories when he won Wimbledon in 2001. Ivanisevic had already reached three finals at the All England Club in 1992, 1994 and 1998, losing all of them. After dropping to No 125 in the world and finding himself on the brink of retirement due to a shoulder injury, he received a wildcard to enter the main draw of Wimbledon in 2001.<\/p>\n

He beat Fredrik Jonsson in the first round before facing a string of top players. The Croat downed Carlos Moya, Andy Roddick, Greg Rusedski and Marat Safin before facing home favourite Tim Henman in the semi-final. The match ended up being played over three days due to rain, with Ivanisevic coming back from two sets to one down to win. In a delayed Monday final, he defeated Pat Rafter 9-7 in the final set to become the only unseeded man to lift the title.<\/p>\n