Hello and welcome to live coverage of Emma Raducanu’s opening match at the Ostrava Open.
The world No 67 is playing this week’s WTA 500 in the Czech Republic- her first tournament since retiring injured in Seoul.
Raducanu achieved her best result since winning the 2021 US Open at the Korean Open as she made the semi-final before being forced to stop in the third set against Jelena Ostapenko, retiring the match citing a left glute injury.
The British No 1’s fitness continues to be an issue but on a pretty fast indoor court she has every chance of troubling her opponent.
The 19-year-old has had a week off and appears to have recovered from that particular issue that ended her Korean Open run to the Latvian, as she remains in the draw in Ostrava.
However, Raduancu will have a big challenge on her hands if she is to make a second-successive semi-final in the Czech Republic. As well as facing Daria Kasatkina in her opening match and with two-time Australian Victoria Azarenka a potential opponent in the second round.
World No 3 Anett Kontaveit sits in Raducanu’s half of the draw and is full of confidence after reaching the final of her home tournament in Tallinn, while world No 1 Iga Swiatek would be a potential semi-final opponent as she heads up the top half.
Despite Raducanu suffering her fourth retirement of the year, her first round opponent Kasatkina has enjoyed a resurgent 2022 season. The Russian is currently sitting at No 11 in the world and No 7 in the race to the WTA finals.
The 25-year-old has not played since suffering a shock first-round defeat to fellow British player Harriet Dart at the US Open, while Raducanu has contested two events since her own upset loss in New York.
The players are due on court just after 3pm and we will have game-by-game updates for you throughout plus all the post-match reaction.
