Emma Raducanu has discovered her fate at the upcoming China Open.
The penultimate WTA 1000 event of the year kicks off on Wednesday and Raducanu’s ranking was high enough to get her into the main draw
But she could have a tough time. If the 21-year-old wins her opening match, she will face Chinese No. 1 and Olympic champion Qinwen Zheng.
Raducanu will be back in action in Beijing this week, where she makes her debut. The world No. 54 will start her campaign against either a qualifier or a lucky loser.
Things will get tough if she makes it through to the second round, where fifth seed Zheng awaits. With the Chinese star playing on home soil, it would be a blockbuster clash.
But Raducanu is in a race against time to be fit for the tournament after retiring from her recent quarter-final match at last week’s Korea Open.
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The Brit had a medical time out to have her foot strapped up during her second-round win over Yue Yuan. But she continued playing as normal and won 6-4 6-3.
The issue came back when she faced top seed Daria Kasatkina in the quarters two days later after rain postponed play. After getting broken in the opening game, Raducanu broke back but quickly dropped the first set 6-1 and retired.
After Raducanu left the court, Kasatkina said: “I feel sorry for Emma. It’s a pity to get injured, especially in the deeper stages of the tournament. I wish her a speedy recovery.
It’s a positive sign that Raducanu has kept herself in the Beijing draw instead of pulling out.
The main draw begins on Wednesday and will be held over a couple of days, meaning the Brit could have some extra rest if her first-round match is staged on Thursday.
If she faces Zheng, the match will likely be given primetime, centre court billing.
