Emma Raducanu returns to action with victory for Great Britain at Billie Jean King Cup

[ad_1] Emma Raducanu claimed victory in her first match since September as she gave Nice Britain a profitable begin to their Billie Jean King Cup tie towards Germany in Malaga.

The 2021 US Open champion, who had not performed since retiring from her quarter-final towards Daria Kasatkina on the Korea Open two months in the past after straining foot ligaments, defeated Jule Niemeier 6-4 6-4.

Raducanu saved 5 break factors within the opening set, recovering from 0-40 down at one stage, and though she misplaced serve twice within the second set - together with within the eighth recreation after squandering match factors - her three breaks of Niemeier's serve took her to victory.

Raducanu missed a number of alternatives to clinch the win, on her serve and the German's, as her lack of courtroom time maybe informed, earlier than she lastly transformed a sixth match level.

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The 22-year-old's win put Britain 1-0 up forward of Katie Boulter's assembly with Laura Siegemund, with Heather Watson and Olivia Nicholls primed for doubles motion ought to a deciding rubber be wanted.

Raducanu revealed this week she is in discussions with health coach Yutaka Nakamura about becoming a member of her staff - the Japanese has beforehand labored with Maria Sharapova and Naomi Osaka.

The Brit stated: "I believe my purpose subsequent yr is to remain on courtroom longer. This yr I got here to prime 60 on the planet, however I performed I believe lower than 15 occasions. I do know if I am on courtroom and wholesome and competing, I can go even increased and additional.

<img class="sdc-article-image__item" loading="lazy" intrinsicsize="768x432" src="https://e0.365dm.com/24/11/768x432/skysports-emma-raducanu-tennis_6748420.jpg?20241114213010" srcset="https://e0.365dm.com/24/11/384x216/skysports-emma-raducanu-tennis_6748420.jpg?20241114213010 380w, https://e0.365dm.com/24/11/768x432/skysports-emma-raducanu-tennis_6748420.jpg?20241114213010 760w, https://e0.365dm.com/24/11/1600x900/skysports-emma-raducanu-tennis_6748420.jpg?20241114213010 1024w, https://e0.365dm.com/24/11/2048x1152/skysports-emma-raducanu-tennis_6748420.jpg?20241114213010 2048w" sizes="(min-width: 1024px) 1024px, 100vw" alt="Emma Raducanu of Great Britain makes her way to training during the Billie Jean King Cup Finals at Palacio de Deportes Jose Maria Martin Carpena on November 12, 2024 in Malaga, Spain. (Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images for LTA)"/> Picture: Raducanu says her athleticism can enhance subsequent season "I believe that my athleticism is a power of mine, but it surely's nowhere close to its full potential. I am simply wanting ahead to exploring that additional, and able to decide to doing that."

Raducanu's greatest singles outcome this yr is reaching the semi-finals at Nottingham, the place she misplaced to eventual champion Boulter as her opponent rallied from dropping the primary set in a tie-break.

Ought to Britain defeat Germany within the Billie Jean King Cup, they'll advance to a quarter-final towards Canada on Sunday.

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