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Emma Raducanu’s preparations for the Australian Open hit a snag at the Sydney International in her first match since recovering from coronavirus.

The British no.1 was dominated 6-0 6-1 by Elena Rybakina, who sits five places ahead of Raducanu in the world rankings in 13th.

Raducanu wasn't in the best of spirits following her heavy defeat
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Raducanu wasn't in the best of spirits following her heavy defeatCredit: Getty
Rybakina took the US Open champ apart with ease
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Rybakina took the US Open champ apart with easeCredit: Getty

Raducanu, 19, rose to prominence at the US Open in September when an historic first Grand Slam win saw her not drop a single set at the tournament as she defeated Leylah Fernandez in the final.

However, 2022 has started in unsteady fashion for the teenager, whose humbling loss comes just days before her Australian Open debut.

Rybakina, 22, overpowered her younger opponent, putting in a fine display after reaching the final of the Adelaide International a week earlier.

The last 32 meeting ended in just 55 minutes, and Raducanu only narrowly avoided a whitewash as she lost the opening nine games of the match, before picking up her one and only win in the 10th.

Raducanu had a brief moment of celebration when she won her first game late on
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Raducanu had a brief moment of celebration when she won her first game late onCredit: Getty
Beltz helped Angelique Kerber to two Grand Slam titles and hopes to do the same with Raducanu
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Beltz helped Angelique Kerber to two Grand Slam titles and hopes to do the same with RaducanuCredit: Getty
However, Raducanu's first match alongside Beltz ended in defeat
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However, Raducanu's first match alongside Beltz ended in defeatCredit: Getty

Her second serve was crucial to her US Open win, but abandoned her against Rybakina, standing at 13 per cent in comparison to her opponents 57 per cent.

The match also marked Raducanu’s first under new coach Torben Beltz having parted ways with Andrew Richardson in the wake of her US Open triumph.

The Australian Open will be Raducanu’s third Grand Slam after the US and Wimbledon, and first that she enters without qualifier or wildcard status, as the tournament’s 17th seed.

The Bromley native had a busy time after her first Grand Slam win, being named BBC Sports Personality of the Year, and being awarded an MBE in the 2022 New Year Honours list.

However, Raducanu suffered a bout of Covid-19 to start the new year, and will hope to be shaking off any fatigue when the Australian Open begins on January 17.

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