Emma Raducanu won her first match in nearly two months on Thursday, defeating Danka Kovinic 6-2, 6-3 for a place in the second round of the Indian Wells Masters.
The Brit last earned a Tour victory in January 16, winning her first round at the Australian Open.
Raducanu shrugged off reports of another wrist problem in her win lasting 82 minutes. She recovered from an early break down in both sets to advance.
The No. 77 who once cracked the ranking Top 10, broke six times while losing her own serve twice.
“It was a good match for me to get through,” the winner said.
“Danka is an extremely difficult opponent. I was expecting (a battle) going into today, and I’m just glad to get through.”
Victory over the Montenegro player was revenge for Raducanu’s 2022 Melbourne loss to the No. 62.
The Briton has had a rough road since winning her surprise US Open title from a qualifying start in 2021.
Despite pre-match reports that her wrist injury was back, Raducanu has also suffered over the past 18 months with 2022 ankle problems and was unable to play last month in Austin due to tonsillitis.
She skipped an exhibition this week without explanation, sparking fresh injury speculation.
