Emma Raducanu vs Elena-Gabriela Ruse || ASB Classic 2024 || 1st Round

Emma Raducanu will face off against qualifier Elena Gabriela Ruiz in the first round of the 2024 ASB Classic on Tuesday. This will be the first meeting between them, so the head-to-head stands at 0-0 for now. Raducanu kicked off her 2023 competing in Auckland, as well but had to withdraw midway through her second round contest due to an injury. Her time at the Australian Open also came to an end in the second round against Coco Gauff. Raducanu then notched up her best result in months by reaching the fourth round of the Indian Wells Open, where she lost to Iga Swiatek. She then failed to make it past the opening hurdles in Miami and Stuttgart. The Brit underwent multiple surgeries after that, and took the rest of the year off to recover. Elena Ruiz began her journey at the 2024 ASB Classic by going through the qualifying rounds. She made it past Anna Danilina in straight sets to book a showdown with former Wimbledon quarterfinalist Jule Niemeyer for a main draw spot. The Romanian triumphed in three sets to advance further. This will be Raducanu's first match since undergoing hand and foot surgeries last year. While she has been injury-prone for most of her young career, her health struggles set her back massively in 2023. Ruiz has already gotten a feel of the conditions here, after coming through the qualifiers. There aren't too many expectations from Raducanu going into this match, aside from making through it without picking up a new injury. One will have to wait and watch to assess her current form. However, if Raducanu is healthy enough to play at the same level she displayed before, she has a pretty good shot at making this a competitive battle. Raducanu will have to wait and watch to assess her current form.