Elina Svitolina sends messages to emma raducannu after three-set defeat

Emma Raducanu is out of the Auckland Classic after falling to a 6-7 (5-7) 7-6 (7-3) 6-1 defeat by second seed Elina Svitolina in the second round.

The Briton, playing her second match since wrist and ankle surgeries, raced into a 5-1 lead in the first set before taking it in the tie-break.

Svitolina won the second after another tie-break and, with Raducanu tiring, took the third in just 31 minutes.

Next up for Raducanu is the Australian Open, which begins on 14 January.

The 2021 US Open champion was playing with fairly heavy strapping on her right thigh but went toe to toe with world number 25 Svitolina before fading after an intense first two sets that each lasted more than an hour.

“I can take away that I played a high level for two long sets,” Raducanu said.

“I’m proud of how quickly I was able to get my level up, as Elina gives you nothing.

“To be able to play like I did for two sets, in my second match back… the level was raised really quickly.”

After a hard-fought victory over Romania’s Elena-Gabriela Ruse in the first round, this was another gruelling encounter for Raducanu as she continues her return from injury.

The 21-year-old began well to go a double break up but was twice unable to convert when serving for the first set.

However, she showed her resilience in the breaker, setting up her first set point with a drop shot and – after a double fault – converting the second with a deft forehand.

Svitolina came fighting back at the start of the second with Raducanu saving two break points in the opening game, only for Ukraine’s former world number three to convert the third.