Drawcards Mertens, Raducanu out of ASB Classic with injuries

The ASB Classic has lost two of its biggest drawcards to injury during the opening round at Auckland.

Second-seeded Belgian Elise Mertens and British fan favourite Emma Raducanu have both withdrawn before their scheduled centrecourt matches on Tuesday, with their places in the singles draw filled by promoting "lucky losers" players who had missed qualifying.

"I am sorry not to play my singles due to an injury," said world No.21 Mertens. "I wish the tournament all the best and hope to be back next year."

Mertens, 29, previously visited Auckland in 2016, when she failed to progress into the main singles draw, but captured the doubles title with countrywoman An-Sophie Mestach. Since then, she has won eight WTA singles titles and 21 doubles, including four Grand Slam crowns.

Her withdrawal means Kiwi qualifer Vivian Yang now faces Brit Jodie Burrage on Tuesday afternoon.

Meanwhile, seventh seed Raducanu has been unable to shake a lingering back complaint, with the Australian Open looming in two weeks.

"I've tried my best to be ready," she said. "I love Auckland and the fans here but, unfortunately, I’ve picked up a back niggle and I won’t be ready in time."

Raducanu, 22, has played the ASB Classic twice before, withdrawing injured during her second round match against Slovak Viktoria Hruncakova in 2023, then bowing to second seed Elina Svitolina at the same stage earlier this year.

Currently ranked 56th, she won the 2021 US Open — the only player to win a Grand Slam from qualifying — but has been plagued with injuries that have prevented her fulfilling her potential. That remains her only WTA final appearance.

In her place, Japanese Mai Hontama will face American Robin Montgomery in a revised order of play.

Their premature departures come as a further blow to the tournament, which does not have defending champion Coca Gauff in the field, and lost Kiwi favourite Lulu Sun and former champion Sloane Stephens during the opening day's play.