Great Britain's United Cup campaign has been dealt a significant early blow after British No. 1 Emma Raducanu was forced to withdraw from her highly anticipated singles match against former world No. 1 Naomi Osaka. The late decision leaves the team's quarter-final hopes in a precarious position.
Late Withdrawal Due to Bone Bruising
Team captain Tim Henman revealed that Raducanu's withdrawal was due to bone bruising in her right foot. The call was made just hours before the scheduled match in Perth to avoid risking further injury in what would have been her first competitive outing of the new season.
Henman expressed optimism about her recovery, stating it had been "fantastic" and that she was extremely close to being ready. He remains hopeful she will be fit for the team's next crucial tie.
Team GB Secures Victory Despite Absence
Despite Raducanu's absence, the British team showed resilience to secure a vital 2-1 victory over Japan in their opening Group E match. Billy Harris stepped up to claim a critical singles win.
The overall victory was then sealed by the mixed doubles pairing of Neal Skupski and Olivia Nicholls, who won a dramatic deciding tie-break. This result keeps British hopes alive in the tournament.
Crucial Showdown Against Greece Looms
The British squad, already missing top-ranked male player Jack Draper, faces its toughest test on Monday at the RAC Arena in Perth. They must defeat a strong Greek team led by Stefanos Tsitsipas and Maria Sakkari to guarantee a quarter-final spot as Group E winners.
If they lose, their progression will depend on securing a place as the best runner-up from the groups based in Perth. A potential quarter-final would see them face the winner of Group C, featuring nations like Italy, France, and Switzerland, with the semi-finals held in Sydney.
The current British squad in Perth consists of Billy Harris, Jan Choinski, and Neal Skupski for the men, with Emma Raducanu, Katie Swan, and Olivia Nicholls for the women. All players must be ready to contribute across singles and doubles formats in the decisive clash against Greece.
