Emma Raducanu's return to the court ended in disappointment as she was defeated by Amanda Anisimova in the first round of the National Bank Open in Montreal. The match, which lasted just over two hours, saw Raducanu struggle to find her rhythm against the aggressive play of her American opponent.
Anisimova, ranked 61st in the world, took control early, breaking Raducanu's serve twice in the first set to secure a 6-3 lead. The British star fought back in the second set, pushing the match to a tiebreak, but Anisimova's powerful groundstrokes proved too much, sealing a 6-3, 7-5 victory.
Raducanu's Struggles Continue
This loss marks another setback for Raducanu, who has faced a series of challenges since her historic US Open win in 2021. Injuries and inconsistent form have plagued her recent performances, raising questions about her ability to regain top-level momentum.
Anisimova's Resurgence
For Anisimova, the win signals a strong return to form after taking a break earlier this year for mental health reasons. The 21-year-old showcased her trademark aggressive baseline game, firing 27 winners past Raducanu.
The National Bank Open continues this week, with Anisimova set to face either Petra Kvitova or Arantxa Rus in the second round.
