Raducanu led 3-1 with a break within the first set, however her sixth double fault to ship it again on serve drew groans from her many supporters at Melbourne Park.
Worse was to comply with.
Raducanu hit three extra double faults in a poor ninth sport, permitting Alexandrova to maneuver forward for the primary time within the match at 5-4.
However the Russian couldn’t serve out and paid the value as Raducanu performed an excellent first tie-break.
Raducanu appeared to have settled down within the second set, shifting an early break up and confidently holding for a 3-2 lead.
Then the double faults reappeared.
Three extra within the sixth sport heaped on the strain, however Raducanu scrambled to avoid wasting two break factors earlier than Alexandrova did take her serve for 4-4.
After failing to serve out at 5-4, Raducanu saved a set level within the twelfth sport with a primary serve which Alexandrova – an aggressive ball-striker who lower a demonstrative determine – whacked a backhand lengthy.
Raducanu once more dominated the tie-break, racing 6-0 forward and clinched victory on her third match level – after hitting a double fault on the primary.
“That was the cherry on the highest,” Raducanu laughed.
On stepping up within the tie-breaks, she added: “I believe that’s one among my strengths.
“When it will get to these clutch moments, I relish taking part in in that.”