EMMA RADUCANU’S participation at the Australian Open is in doubt after she retired from the ASB Classic in tears.
The 20-year-old, who won the US Open in 2020, picked up an ankle injury with her match against Viktoria Kuzmova at one set all – 6-0 5-7.
GettyEmma Raducanu left the court in tears following her injury[/caption]
It comes less than a fortnight before the Australian Open is due to get underway.
The Brit breezed the first set without dropping a game and then went a break up in the second.
Kuzmova then broke the Raducanu serve twice but failed to close out the set as the British Grand Slam champion fought back to level at 5-5.
But when serving to stay in the set she was broken by world No155 Kuzmova as the match prepared to enter a decider.
There was then a medical timeout as a physio worked at length on Raducanu’s ankle.
The US Open champion, currently ranked 78th in the world, was passed fit to continue as she returned to the court for her first service game of the third set.
But just two points later she was forced to retire due to the injury.
Raducanu made her debut at the Melbourne Grand Slam last year, exiting in the second round.
More to follow.