Raducanu targets WTA Tour return in Strasbourg

Emma Raducanu is targeting a return to the WTA Tour in Strasbourg in two weeks’ time following her withdrawal from the Italian Open on health grounds.

The British number one is, however, reliant on a wildcard having missed the entry deadline.

Raducanu, 23, was granted a wildcard for last year’s WTA 500 event and beat top 20 player Daria Kasatkina, before losing to American Danielle Collins.

The tournament, which starts on 17 May, has not yet confirmed whether a wildcard will be forthcoming.

Raducanu pulled out of the Italian Open late on Tuesday, just minutes after completing a round of media interviews.

She does not feel she has recovered 100% from a post-viral infection which has kept her away from the tour since March.

Before her withdrawal, Raducanu told BBC Sport: “I had six weeks almost of doing nothing just trying to recover from the virus, and it takes a lot out of you physically.”

The event in Strasbourg takes place the week before the French Open, for which Raducanu will no longer be seeded – assuming she is fit to compete.

Elsewhere, British number three Katie Boulter was knocked out of the Rome Masters in the first round by Eva Lys.

Boulter fought back in the second set after the Belgian comfortably took the first, but could not maintain her momentum and lost 6-4 3-6 6-4.

The 29-year-old Briton exited the Madrid Open in the second round last week, losing to world number five Jessica Pegula.