British tennis star Emma Raducanu has gained her first match since April following a prolonged harm lay-off.
The 2021 US Open winner beat Elena-Gabriela Ruse in three units within the first spherical of the ASB Classic in Auckland.
Raducanu, 21, who had slipped to 301st on the planet rankings, survived a fightback from the Romanian qualifier to progress 6-3 4-6 7-5 in two hours and 27 minutes.
The former British primary performed solely 9 matches in 2023, as she missed eight months of motion following operations on each wrists and an ankle.
Raducanu will play second seed Elina Svitolina within the final 16 and mentioned she was “grateful to have the ability to transfer my physique and never be bedridden or in a wheelchair.
“It’s pretty amazing to just be out here and playing. I’m really happy to be back on the tour and can’t wait to start this season and carry on hopefully injury-free and healthy.”
After Raducanu took the primary set in simply 37 minutes, Ruse – the world quantity 134 – fought again to win the second.
Raducanu, who reached a career-high tenth on the planet rankings in July 2022, blew a 5-2 lead within the remaining set earlier than coming by way of.
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She mentioned: “Thank you to everyone for coming out and staying late and cold. I really appreciate the support throughout.
“It was a match with ups and downs and at all times troublesome taking part in a buddy in Gabi. I like being again in Auckland, I’m having a blast up to now, so thanks and see you within the subsequent spherical.”
Raducanu was as a result of have returned to motion final month, earlier than pulling out.
Rafael Nadal, the 22-time Grand Slam winner, has additionally made a long-awaited return from harm, however, in his first match since January, he misplaced within the doubles on the Brisbane International, on Sunday.
Source: information.sky.com”