Bianca Andreescu is on to the second round of the Italian Open after Emma Raducanu’s Italian Open debut came to an early end. The 19-year-old retired due to a back injury after falling behind 2-6, 1-2 against Andreescu.
🇨🇦 @Bandreescu_ moves on to Round 2 after Raducanu retires.Final score: 6-2, 2-1.#IBI22 pic.twitter.com/zwFiaJq0UG— wta (@WTA) May 10, 2022
🇨🇦 @Bandreescu_ moves on to Round 2 after Raducanu retires.Final score: 6-2, 2-1.#IBI22 pic.twitter.com/zwFiaJq0UG
Raducanu, who had a breakout win at the U.S. Open in 2021, has struggled with injuries this year, including blisters on her racket hand at the Australian Open and foot blisters at the Billie Jean King Cup.
The world No. 12 has been dealing with her back issue since the Madrid Open, in which she lost to Anhelina Kalinina in the Round of 16. Raducanu called on the physio multiple times and in the second set could be heard saying, “I can’t move.”
Andreescu had gone up a set and a break before Raducanu retired. She’s been on a roll since returning for the first time in seven months, having taken a break due to a knee injury and working on her mental health.
“It’s definitely been difficult but I’m slowly getting to my top form which I’m very pleased about,” Andreescu said after the match.
“I hope Emma’s injury or whatever she is dealing with isn’t so bad. She is an amazing player,” Andreescu continued. “I watched her in the U.S. Open finals, I expected it to be a tougher match, but obviously she’s dealing with something so hopefully she’s going to be OK. I’m just super happy with how I played.”