Emma Raducanu's opponent was left stunned after the British star was VERY lucky during the second round of the Australian Open

Emma Raducanu received a helping hand from an unexpected source on Thursday at the Australian Open.

The British star, 21, was in the middle of a tough second-round battle against China's Wang Yafan, with the former US Open champion fighting to stay alive in a tough first set at Melbourne Park.

And she benefited from a bizarre stroke of luck as she tried to hold serve, leaving her opponent stunned by a highly unusual series of events.

The Chinese star did everything he could to drill a forehand inside out across the court, while Raducanu was surprised by the pace of the shot.

Raducanu stretched to his left and managed to get a weak backhand on the ball, sending it looping into the air.

A strong gust of wind blew the ball back to her side of the field Thursday

Anticipating the trajectory of the ball, Wang made his way forward, where it bounced just in front of the net.

But incredibly, a strong gust of wind pushed the ball back to Raducanu's side of the court, out of reach of Wang's racket – meaning the Briton won the point and thus the match.

'Oh, would you believe it! Very astonishing,” the Eurosport commentator exclaimed.

'A real stroke of luck for Raducanu, because Wang was there. But this time the gust of wind helps the Briton.'

Wang, stunned by her misfortune, could only let out a small laugh at what she had just seen.

Raducanu lost the first set and is fighting to keep her Australian Open dream alive.

More to follow.