Emma Raducanu: British number one suffers first-round defeat in Strasbourg after two-month absence
Emma Raducanu suffered a slender first-round defeat in Strasbourg as she returned to motion after greater than two months away from the WTA Tour.
The British number one has been recovering from a post-viral illness and had not performed since a third-round defeat by Amanda Anisimova at Indian Wells in March.
Granted a wildcard for the WTA 500 occasion in Strasbourg, her return didn’t go to plan as she fell to a 6-4 7-6 (7-4) defeat by French dwelling hope Diane Parry.
It means Raducanu may have performed simply one match on clay earlier than the French Open – the second Grand Slam occasion of the yr – begins on Sunday.
After a 10-week absence from the Tour, Raducanu has slipped from twenty third to thirty seventh in the world rankings and he or she won’t be seeded at Roland Garros.
Playing her first match since meeting with coach Andrew Richardson – who helped information her to the US Open title as a teenage qualifier – Raducanu received off to a robust begin in France, spraying fierce backhand winners down the road and transferring nimbly across the courtroom as she broke for a 4-2 lead.
But double faults began to creep into her recreation and Parry reeled Raducanu again in earlier than taking cost to wrap up the opener.
After saving 5 break factors to cease Parry from pulling away early in the second set, Raducanu briefly rediscovered his rhythm to strike first – solely to look at the world number 94 break again instantly once more.
The Frenchwoman broke once more to go 5-4 up, however Raducanu held agency to cease Parry from serving out the victory on two events and forcing a tie-break.
After whacking the ball into the stands in frustration, Parry regained his composure to finally see out the straight-set victory after two hours and 26 minutes.
While the loss limits Raducanu’s preparation for the French Open, there are positives to take for the Briton as she heads to Paris.
She appeared relaxed as Richardson dished out directions and encouragement from the participant’s field, whereas she confirmed resilience in heading off 16 break factors and making it tough for Parry till the top.
Parry will face both China’s Zhang Shuai in the second spherical after she defeated Spain’s Cristina Bucsa 2-6 7-6 (9-7) 7-5.
