Emma Raducanu could face two-time Grand Slam winner Simona Halep early on at Indian Wells as British sensation prepares to play for the first time since her stunning US Open win
- Emma Raducanu may face Simona Halep in round three at the BNP Paribas Open
- US Open winner has been given a bye to the second round of the tournament
- Draw will see her take on either Maria Camila Osorio or Aliaksandra Sasnovich
- Indian Wells will be just the Brit’s fifth tour-level event of her career
Emma Raducanu could face two-time grand slam winner Simona Halep at next week’s BNP Paribas Open in the Briton’s first tournament since winning the US Open.
Teenager Raducanu, whose stunning triumph last month propelled her from 150th to 22nd in the world rankings, received a wild card entry and a bye to the second round of the WTA 1000 event in Indian Wells.
She has been drawn to play the winner of the match between Maria Camila Osorio Serrano and Aliaksandra Sasnovich on Friday or Saturday, with a win for the Brit setting up an encounter against Halep in the third round if the Romanian defeats the victor of Zhang Shuai versus Marta Kostyuk.
Emma Raducanu could face a tricky test early on when she returns to action next week
The US Open winner may meet Simona Halep (right) in the third round at Indian Wells
The 18-year-old became the first qualifier in the Open era to win a major tournament at Flushing Meadows in New York, where she did not lose a set.
She only made her WTA Tour debut in June this year at the Nottingham Open and went on to reach the last 16 at Wimbledon in her second tour-level event.
Indian Wells will be just the fifth tour-level event of Raducanu’s career.
The US Open champion will play her first tournament since her stunning New York triumph
The prestigious event has returned to the WTA calendar after a two-year hiatus, while two-time champion and former world No 1 Kim Clijsters has also received a wild card to the main draw.
Current world No 1 Ashleigh Barty has chosen not to compete at Indian Wells and Naomi Osaka has also pulled out.
British No 5 Katie Boulter failed in her bid to reach the main draw as she was beaten 7-5 6-2 by 16-year-old American Reese Brantmeier in the first round of qualifying.
Raducanu however has been seen on court in California with Jeremy Bates (above)
Raducanu is without a permanent coach having split from Andrew Richardson despite their remarkable New York success but has been seen on court in California with Jeremy Bates.
The former British No 1 works primarily with Boulter but is also the Lawn Tennis Association’s national women’s coach.
Raducanu said last month that she is looking for someone experienced on the WTA Tour and that she does not expect to make an appointment until the end of the season.
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