Emma Raducanu survives late scare to make winning return at ASB Classic in Auckland after eight months out

Emma Raducanu was made to work hard on her long-awaited return to tennis, but eventually saw off the challenge of qualifier Elena-Gabriela Ruse in the first round of the ASB Classic in Auckland.

It was the first match the Brit has played since undergoing wrist and ankle surgeries in May of last year and she set up an enticing second round clash against Elina Svitolina with a 6-3 4-6 7-5 win over Ruse.

“Thank you to everyone coming out and staying late, I really appreciate the support,” Raducanu said on court afterwards. “It was a match with ups and downs and it’s always difficult playing a friend.

“It’s difficult after having such a long hiatus but I’m grateful to be healthy, I’m grateful to be able to move my body and not be bedridden or in a wheelchair so it’s pretty amazing to be out here and playing.

“I’m just really happy to be back on the tour and can’t wait to start the season and hopefully carry on injury-free and healthy.”

While it wasn’t a perfect performance, the 2021 US Open champion will surely be pleased to come through a tight match against a tricky opponent.

The opening set went with serve for the first seven games before Raducanu made her move, earning the decisive break to move 5-3 ahead before closing it out with a hold.

There were signs of rust in the next, however, after failing to convert three break points in the first game, Raducanu lost her serve to give Ruse a foothold in the match.

In an eventful set, Raducanu twice recovered from a break down to get back on serve but she could never regain parity on the scoreboard.

After losing her serve to love at 5-3, Ruse opened up two break and set points, sealing it when Raducanu fired a backhand long.

There was more drama in the decider. Raducanu looked to be cruising when she moved a double break ahead at 5-2, but she failed to serve it out twice and passed up two match points as Ruse levelled at 5-5.

The momentum then swung back in the Brit’s favour when she broke in the 11th game and she made it count at the third time of asking, sealing the win when Ruse hit the net with a crosscourt backhand.

Earlier, US Open champion and no. 1 seed Coco Gauff wasted little time in booking her passage into round two.

The American was too good for Claire Liu and needed just an hour and 23 minutes to complete a 6-4 6-2 victory.

There were also wins for Svitolina and seventh seed Petra Martic. Svitolina, the second seed, beat Wozniacki 6-4 6-3 in a dramatic match that featured eight breaks of serve.

Croatia’s Martic recovered from dropping the first set to seal a 3-6 6-3 6-3 win over Spain’s Rebeka Masarova.