The unthinkable has happened as Emma Raducanu who has been blighted by bad luck since winning the US Open has finally received some good luck at least for now.
Six withdrawals were needed to prevent the Brit having to play qualifying next week in Melbourne after her return at the ASB Classic in Auckland. This was seen as an uphill task, but circumstances have gone in her favour with the latest withdrawal seeing her being entered in.
Lauren Davis or Madison Keys were earmarked as the two players who could've withdrawn on social media and it is the former who is out with a shoulder injury who has handed Raducanu the place.
Recently Karolina Muchova and Petra Kvitova too were big casualties with the former out due to a wrist injury and the latter is pregnant so is unlikely to play this season. As a result, Raducanu got closer on the eve of her ASB Classic opener against Elena-Gabriela Ruse where she showed that her game is very much there amid rust closing the match out.
She will play Elina Svitolina on Thursday in the second round in Auckland knowing that she can practice or even take a potential late wildcard into Adelaide or Hobart if possible instead of having to go through qualifying.
Samuel GillEditor-in-Chief
Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of TennisUpToDate.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces across the TennisUpToDate network, playing a central role in the daily operation and development of the site.
Based in Leicester, Samuel has a broad background in tennis media. In his current role, he works closely with editors and writers to ensure coverage meets clear journalistic standards, with particular attention to verification, consistency, and timely updates when new information becomes available.
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