Emma Raducanu has been handed a nightmare draw at Eastbourne International less than two weeks before the start of Wimbledon.
It’s the last grass court event before players descend on SW19, but Raducanu’s hopes of a lengthy run in Eastbourne have been dealt an early blow.
Raducanu has been paired against fellow US Open champion Sloane Stephens ahead of next week’s tournament.
The pair will likely meet on Tuesday, with Stephens having previously sat as high as third in the WTA rankings.
However, it isn’t all doom and gloom for the Brit, with Raducanu having enjoyed success over Stephens in their only-ever meeting.
Triumphing over the American at the 2022 Australian Open, Raducanu will be looking to carry over her Melbourne success from two years ago when the duo go head-to-head next week.
It won’t get much easier for her if she does win though, with No.2 seed Jessica Pegula up next in round two.
The Eastbourne draw comes just days after Raducanu was granted a wildcard spot at this year’s Wimbledon.
A run to the semi-finals of the Rothesay Open in Nottingham earlier this month saw Raducanu climb back up to 165th in the world.
Raducanu was one of 14 wildcards granted for Wimbledon, with Naomi Osaka set to return to the All England Club for the first time since 2019.
The pandemic, injuries and becoming a mother have all prevented Osaka from taking part in the previous editions.
Simona Halep hasn’t been invited to the tournament though, with the former world No.1 having recently returned from a drugs ban.
The double Grand Slam winner was handed a four-year ban from the WTA Tour in October 2022 – a suspension that was reduced to nine months on appeal earlier this year.
As for the ATP wildcards, Jack Draper’s breakthrough month continued, with the new British No.1 granted a spot at the coveted event.
It came after he won his first ATP title in Stuttgart – a triumph that was backed up by a statement victory over reigning Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz at Queen’s.
Tommy Paul got the better of him in their quarter-final meeting, but Draper remains one to watch when Wimbledon gets going next month.
The championship’s opening matches are set to be held on July 1, with the finals taking place on Saturday, July 13 and Sunday, July 14.
Content Source: www.express.co.uk