Emma Raducanu’s return to tennis ended in a defeat to Maria Sakkari, as Great Britain lost to Greece at the United Cup.
Raducanu had entered the match with an unbeaten record against Sakkari, but the Greek star broke it with a battling three-set display.
The victory for Sakkari followed Stefanos Tsitsipas’ narrow win against Billy Harris to confirm top spot for Greece in Group E.
Raducanu looked solid against Sakkari, but she’s been given one area of her game she absolutely has to improve.
John Fitzgerald is concerned about Emma Raducanu’s ‘physicality’
Raducanu battled back to win the second set against Sakkari, but the length of the match then started to take its toll on the British number one.
Former Australian professional tennis star John Fitzgerald was impressed by what he saw from Raducanu in Perth.
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“We’ve just had a classic women’s match as well. Look, she’s an incredible talent; it’s a shame we haven’t seen more of her since that US Open win, she’s a player, I’ve just spoken to Tim Henman, he just emphasises how much skill she has on a tennis court, she’s a very talented young lady, and her competitiveness is also incredibly strong.”
Despite his praise for the world number World No. 29, he questioned the British star’s physicality on the court.
“Where she lacks a little bit these days, is her physicality, she just hasn’t spent enough time on the court, maybe that’s what told in the end. Of course, Maria Sakkari on a bit of a roll, got two wins now for Greece.”
Raducanu’s next tournament Down Under is set to be the Hobart International, where she will be the second seed.
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Laura Robson, watching on for Sky Sports, was also impressed by Raducanu in her first appearance since the Ningbo Open in October.
“A really solid performance from Raducanu as well, first match of the season, wasn’t sure if she was even going to play, and it was physical, so that was a good test for her.”
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Raducanu pulled out of her match against Naomi Osaka with a foot injury, but that did not seem to bother her against Sakkari.
The British star will likely not play again at the United Cup as Great Britain’s qualification for the knockout stages hangs by a thread.
Great Britain had been tipped as one of the favourites for the competition, but Jack Draper’s withdrawal and Raducanu’s injury proved a major stumbling block.
