Emma Raducanu makes a determined effort in Auckland as she returns from an eight-month absence.

Emma Raducanu marked her highly anticipated comeback from injury with a resilient three-set victory against Elena-Gabriela Ruse in the opening round of the ASB Classic in Auckland.

The ex-top ranked British player, who had surgery on both wrists and one ankle in April, won 6-3, 4-6, 7-5 in her first match back. She will face the second seeded Elina Svitolina in the last-16 round as she continues to prepare for the Australian Open.

After a lengthy break, Raducanu expressed gratitude for her good health and ability to move freely without being confined to a bed or wheelchair. She also expressed excitement for returning to the tour and hopes to continue playing without any injuries.

Raducanu, the wildcard player in the tournament, had fallen to the 301st spot in the world rankings. However, she returned to her career with a newfound sense of being “reborn,” no longer burdened by the pressure of her highly publicized victory at the US Open in 2021.

After playing only nine matches in 2023, she didn’t show any signs of being out of practice and won the first set in 37 minutes by taking advantage of her third break point in the eighth game. However, her hopes for an easy win were quickly shattered when Ruse fought back. Despite facing three break points in the opening game of the second set, the 134th ranked player saved them all and went on to win two of Raducanu’s next three service games, changing the momentum of the match.

Raducanu showed strength in the face of adversity, fighting back from a 5-2 deficit to bring the match to a tiebreaker. Despite her opponent’s best efforts, the 21-year-old displayed moments of skill, including a beautiful backhand slice winner. However, she struggled to maintain her lead in the final set and missed two opportunities to win on her opponent’s serve. Nevertheless, she persevered and ultimately secured a comeback victory, a promising result after being sidelined for eight months.

Raducanu expressed gratitude towards all those who stayed out late and braved the cold to support her. She acknowledged that the match was challenging, especially since she was playing against a friend, Gabi. She also mentioned enjoying her time in Auckland and looked forward to the next round.

Source: theguardian.com