Emma Raducanu suffered a 6-4 7-6 (7-4) defeat to Diane Parry of France in her first clay match of 2026 on the Internationaux de Strasbourg on Tuesday.
Raducanu was making her return to the WTA Tour after lacking greater than two months with a post-viral sickness.
The previous US Open champion accepted a alternative spot within the WTA 500 occasion, and she was joined by Andrew Richardson after reappointing the US Open-winning coach.
Parry headed into the conflict with Raducanu having clinched the Clarins WTA 125 in Paris on Sunday after her opponent Madison Keys was unable to proceed the ultimate regardless of successful the primary set.
Carrying heavy strapping on her left thigh, the French No 4 appeared fatigued from her travels, in comparison with her opponent, who was enjoying her first match since a thrashing by the hands of Amanda Anisimova at Indian Wells.
Raducanu, who has slipped to thirty seventh within the rankings, seemed sharp together with her motion and obtained an early tonic by breaking for a 4-2 lead within the opening set.
However the British No 1 yielded her benefit within the subsequent recreation, and with the courtroom drying out after an early begin in Strasbourg, a 3rd double fault from Raducanu adopted by a thumping Parry forehand secured a 3rd consecutive break, however extra importantly it gave the Frenchwomen an opportunity to serve for the set.
World No 94 Parry snuffed out a few break factors for Raducanu, and urged on by her residence followers, she sealed the set in 56 minutes of a fluctuating back-and-forth conflict.
Raducanu regathered her ideas to compose herself and pounce for a 4-2 benefit, however in a mirror picture of the opening set the 23-year-old gifted Parry a right away break again.
The double faults have been mounting up for Raducanu and an eighth adopted by a wild forehand gave Parry a chance to serve it out, however an excellent return recreation denied the Frenchwoman because the Briton drew degree at 5-5.
They traded service breaks as soon as once more in a match of intense drama, as the competition headed right into a tie-break.
Regardless of a valiant effort from Raducanu, it was Parry who capitalised on a few errors to seal the win and avenge her defeat to the Brit in a Billie Jean King Cup qualifying rubber in 2024.
Raducanu will now head into the French Open, which begins on Might 24, with just one clay-court match below her belt.
Henman: Raducanu teaching change comes at good time
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Each Tim Henman and Laura Robson imagine Raducanu reuniting with Andrew Richardson is an effective transfer
Former British No 1 Tim Henman lately backed Raducanu’s determination to reappoint Richardson forward of an enormous summer season of tennis.
Raducanu was strongly criticised for axing Richardson shortly after her beautiful win in New York in 2021. On the time, the now 23-year-old stated she felt she wanted somebody with WTA Tour expertise, however, practically 5 years and a number of short-term appointments later, Raducanu has once more turned to Richardson.
“Grateful to have reconnected with someone who has known me for over a decade now and looking forward to building together one iteration at a time,” stated Raducanu.
It continues a sample of Raducanu favouring coaches who she labored with previous to her fast ascent to superstardom – a choice that four-time Wimbledon semi-finalist Henman views as the proper name.
“I think it’s great that Andrew is back to support Emma and all I can say is I hope it lasts a bit longer,” Henman stated on Sky Sports activities.
“They had an incredible run in America all those years ago and it stopped working after that. She’s been through a lot of other coaches between now and then.
“They clearly have a relationship from the previous – Emma clearly trusts Andrew – and I believe that consistency and continuity is de facto necessary, particularly right now of yr.
“She’s got the French Open coming up, but then the grass-court season, where the spotlight is going to be at its most intense – pre-Wimbledon and at Wimbledon.”
Former British No 1 Laura Robson feels Raducanu’s determination to reunite with Richardson will assist her really feel extra relaxed realizing a “familiar voice”.
She stated: “At this stage she’s trying to come back from a long-term illness over the last couple of months, so to come back with a familiar voice, someone who you trust already, someone who you’ve been through so much with, probably feels quite relaxing in a way.
“To have the identical concepts of what they’re making an attempt to do together with her recreation on the courtroom makes an enormous distinction. Clearly it is labored previously so why not give it spherical two?”
London’s Copper Field to host GB Davis Cup match
Nice Britain’s Davis Cup match towards Ecuador on September 19 and 20 will probably be staged at London’s Copper Field Enviornment.
Leon Smith’s aspect will tackle the South People for the place within the Last 8 of the competitors having swept apart Norway 4-0 of their first spherical qualifier.
Smith stated: “This will be our first home tie since 2024, so we’re really looking forward to bringing the Davis Cup to the Copper Box in September.
“It is an important venue and having a house crowd creating the particular Davis Cup ambiance that we love could make an enormous distinction as we face a tricky tie towards Ecuador for a spot within the Last 8.”
The last time Great Britain hosted Ecuador in the competition, in 2000, they crashed to a shock 3-2 defeat at the All England Club.
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