Emma Raducanu match suspended twice at Hobart International

Emma Raducanu’s first round clash at the Hobart International has been delayed twice due to heavy rain.

The British No.1 had taken the first set against Camila Osorio on Tuesday.

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However, rain caused a suspension in play during the second set, with Osorio a break up and leading 4-2.

It came after the match had been paused several times before Raducanu and Osorio left the court after the heavens had opened.

Following a delay of around 40 minutes, the players returned to the court in Hobart.

Shortly after play resumed, though, it began raining again with the seventh game in the second set not yet completed.

At first, both players returned to their benches as play was briefly paused before they were taken off court completely moments later.

Raducanu is the top seed at the WTA 250 event, which is her last before the Australian Open.

The winner of her opening round clash with the Colombian wildcard will face Magdalena Frech of Poland in the second round.

She will be hoping to emulate Heather Watson, who became the only British winner of the event in 2015.

Raducanu is making her first appearance at the Hobart International as she prepares for the year’s first Grand Slam in Melbourne.

The 23-year-old has been confirmed as the 28th seed at the Australian Open after the main draw seedings were revealed.

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Last year’s tournament saw Raducanu produce her best performance at the event.

She reached the third round for the first time in her career before losing second seed Iga Swiatek in straight sets.

Raducanu began her season earlier this month with Great Britain at the United Cup.

Her return to the court had been delayed by a foot injury before she featured in a group stage loss to Greece.

The defeat confirmed Great Britain’s exit from the tournament, with Raducanu beaten 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 by Maria Sakkari.

It had been her first competitive action since October after a three-month injury lay-off.

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Raducanu had earlier been forced to pull out of a match against Japan’s Naomi Osaka days earlier as a result of the foot issue.

Despite returning for Great Britain’s second match, she was unable to help them secure progression to the quarter-finals.