Emma Raducanu claimed victory in her first match since September as she gave Great Britain a winning start to their Billie Jean King Cup tie against Germany in Malaga.
The 2021 US Open champion, who had not played since retiring from her quarter-final against Daria Kasatkina at the Korea Open two months ago after straining foot ligaments, defeated Jule Niemeier 6-4 6-4.
Raducanu saved five break points in the opening set, recovering from 0-40 down at one stage, and although she lost serve twice in the second set – including in the eighth game after squandering match points – her three breaks of Niemeier’s serve took her to victory.
Raducanu missed multiple opportunities to clinch the win, on her serve and the German’s, as her lack of court time perhaps told, before she finally converted a sixth match point.
The 22-year-old’s win put Britain 1-0 up ahead of Katie Boulter’s meeting with Laura Siegemund, with Heather Watson and Olivia Nicholls primed for doubles action should a deciding rubber be needed.
Raducanu revealed this week she is in discussions with fitness trainer Yutaka Nakamura about joining her team – the Japanese has previously worked with Maria Sharapova and Naomi Osaka.
The Brit said: “I think my goal next year is to stay on court longer. This year I came to top 60 in the world, but I played I think less than 15 events. I know if I’m on court and healthy and competing, I can go even higher and further.
Raducanu says her athleticism can improve next season
“I think that my athleticism is a strength of mine, but it’s nowhere near its full potential. I’m just looking forward to exploring that further, and ready to commit to doing that.”
Raducanu’s best singles result this year is reaching the semi-finals at Nottingham, where she lost to eventual champion Boulter as her opponent rallied from losing the first set in a tie-break.
Should Britain defeat Germany in the Billie Jean King Cup, they will advance to a quarter-final against Canada on Sunday.
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