Emma Raducanu said she is “grateful to be healthy” again after winning her first match following eight months out with injury at the Auckland Classic.
The Briton, playing for the first time since wrist and ankle surgeries, fought through a tense deciding set to beat world number 134 Elena-Gabriela Ruse.
She let slip a 5-2 lead in the third set and missed two match points at 5-3 before eventually winning 6-3 4-6 7-5.
After the final point, the 2021 US Open champion, who needed a wildcard to enter the tournament having dropped to 301 in the rankings, covered her face with her hand in a celebration mixed with pleasure and relief.
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The tougher test of Ukrainian second seed Elina Svitolina awaits in the second round.
