Emma Raducanu stated she “struggled with all the pieces” as she was overwhelmed by world quantity 30 Anhelina Kalinina within the first spherical of the Qatar Open in Doha.
The Briton was effectively under per in a one-sided first set, hitting 15 unforced errors to her Ukrainian opponent’s two.
She saved two match factors in a much more aggressive second however Kalinina got here by way of to win 6-0 7-6 (8-6).
“I used to be combating all the pieces – serve, return, forehand, backhand,” Raducanu, 21, informed Sky Sports activities.
“I felt like I by no means actually bought into it.”
The previous US Open champion is within the early levels of her comeback after lacking most of 2023 following surgical procedure on each of her fingers and left ankle.
She gained one match in Auckland in her first match again, reached the second spherical of the Australian Open and beat world quantity 36 Marie Bouzkova in Abu Dhabi final week.
However that win was adopted by a complete defeat by second seed Ons Jabeur and, having been given one other wildcard this week in Qatar, she suffered one other early exit.
Raducanu had a set level at 6-5 on her serve within the second-set breaker however Kalinina saved it and took the following two factors to seal victory.
The Briton hit 48 unforced errors in comparison with 22 by Kalinina, who will play eighth seed Jelena Ostapenko subsequent.
“It was mixture of issues,” Raducanu stated.
“It was my first day-match I’ve performed in a yr. That’s totally different.
“I have to practise coaching outdoors a bit extra. The lights, situations, shadows… it’s actually arduous to see the ball, I discovered in direction of the tip.
“When my tennis is not there I’ve to try to no less than combat and I did that within the second set.”
Raducanu stated she’s going to now return residence after consecutive weeks on tour however stated she must “schedule my tournaments a bit higher”.
“I simply struggled with the timing of the ball,” she stated. “It would include extra time practising in addition to matches.
“It’s arduous for me to get used to the tour schedule. It’s one match then one other right away.
“I have to schedule my tournamnerts a bit higher and attempt to get extra matches below my belt.”