Emma Raducanu's return to the WTA Tour after a two-month absence ended in a narrow first-round defeat at the Strasbourg tournament. The British number one, recovering from a post-viral illness, faced French home hope Diane Parry and, despite a strong start, fell to a 6-4 7-6 (7-4) defeat.
This setback means Raducanu will have limited preparation for the French Open, the second Grand Slam of the year, as she slips to 37th in the world rankings. Her reunion with coach Andrew Richardson, who guided her to the US Open title, didn't prevent the loss.
The match began with Raducanu displaying her usual fierce backhand winners and nimble court movement, breaking for a 4-2 lead. However, double faults crept into her game, allowing Parry to reel her back in and take the first set. In the second set, Raducanu saved five break points and briefly rediscovered her rhythm, but Parry broke back immediately and eventually won the tie-break.
Despite the loss, there are positives for Raducanu. She looked relaxed and resilient, fending off 16 break points and making it difficult for Parry until the end. This performance suggests that she is making progress in her recovery and regaining her form.
Parry will face China's Shuai Zhang in the second round, after Zhang defeated Spain's Cristina Bucsa. This result highlights the competitive nature of the WTA Tour and the challenges faced by top players in their pursuit of Grand Slam titles.
