Emma Raducanu got a "great start" in Madrid Open: Karolina Pliskova pulled out

Emma Raducanu will have to wait and see, who she faces in the opening round, of the Madrid Open, after the withdrawal of her initial opening round opponent. A wild card into the main draw in Madrid, in form Raducanu was scheduled, to face a blockbuster opener, against former world number one Karolina Pliskova, who won her 17th WTA title in Cluj this year. But it was today confirmed that, the former US Open and Wimbledon finalist, had joined fellow Czech star Marie Buzkova, in pulling out of what is the first WTA 1000 event, of the clay court season. The news will come as a huge boost to Raducanu, as she is likely to face a less accomplished player, in her opening Madrid match. With the qualifying draw already underway, no player could be drawn automatically, into the event to face the Brit, meaning she will face a qualifier or lucky loser in round one. Raducanu will be optimistic, about beating whoever she is drawn, against in that contest, having impressed on clay in the Billie Jean King Cup, against France and the women's Stuttgart Open over the past fortnight. She has also previously reached, the third round in Madrid, beating Teresa Martinkova and Marta Kosciuk, in the Spanish capital two years ago, and will fancy her chances of a similar run this time around. If she wins her opening match, the world number 221 would face, 17th seed Veronica Kutumitova in round two.