Provided there is no injury hangover, Emma Raducanu finally has a positive week to look back on after her return at the ASB Classic in New Zealand.

Not only did the 21-year-old show that her quality of play has survived the medical procedures on her wrists and ankle, but the last few days also saw her gain a spot in the Australian Open main draw, allowing her to plan ahead.

Raducanu was delighted with how she competed in the second round in Auckland against Elina Svitolina, arguably the best player of recent years not to have won a major title. Before tiring in the deciding set after her eight-month career hiatus, the former US Open champion came within a few points of winning before going down 6-7, 7-6, 6-1.

‘It’s pretty exciting for me,’ said Raducanu. ‘I’ve only played two matches and my court time has been pretty limited. I’ve been training for the last few months at the LTA (National Tennis Centre in Roehampton) but I had a few setbacks with my wrists and ankles.

‘To be back up to this speed after so little time is a great sign. I’m looking forward to the season. It’s just the beginning, it’s week one of a lot more to come.’

Emma Raducanu has been impressed with her progress following her injury problems

The Briton lost in three sets in the second round of the ASB Tennis Classic in Auckland against Elina Svitolina on Thursday 

Raducanu has missed eight months due to ankle and writs injuries before returning to action this week ahead of the Australian Open

Raducanu had strapping on her right thigh for yesterday’s match, and her movement — which had been outstanding for the first two sets — looked slightly laboured by the end.

Assuming this was no more than the result of ring rust, she can now decide whether to seek wildcards (or enter qualifying) for next week’s WTA events in Adelaide or Hobart, or opt for exhibition play in Melbourne.

The first two sets may have been her best level since the 2021 US Open, against an opponent in Svitolina who is more formidable than her ranking of 25 suggests (the Ukrainian missed plenty of last season). 

Raducanu caused repeated problems with her heavily driven groundstrokes and her impressive defensive play around the back of the court.

Svitolina won 6-7 7-6 7-1 against Raducanu but was made to work for every point

The Ukrainian is ranked No 25 in the WTA rankings after missing most of last season

A question remains against her mental and physical stamina, as it did before she had surgery in May. Since winning the US Open 26 months ago, she has only played 16 matches that have gone to the full three sets, losing nine. She needs to play plenty more.

‘My intensity just dropped,’ Raducanu admitted. ‘I need to learn to maintain that better for longer if I’m going to compete with these players for three sets. For two sets it was great, but you can’t win all the matches in two sets. If you want to go toe-to-toe for three, the intensity needs to be higher for longer.’

Raducanu could easily have won in straight sets, having led 3-1 in the second-set tiebreak before missing two forehands. She also held break points at 7-6, 4-3, but has at least confirmed to herself that there is much to build upon.

Stockport’s Liam Broady should have secured himself a place in the world’s top 100 after reaching the second round of the Hong Kong Open. Broady pushed world No 5 Andrey Rublev yesterday before losing 6-4, 7-6. He will still have to go through qualifying next week at the Australian Open.