Emma Raducanu lost on her return from a foot injury as Great Britain were eliminated from the United Cup with a group-stage defeat by Greece.
Raducanu, 23, had not played since early October after what she described as “light bone bruising” on her right foot and pulled out of her anticipated season-opening match against Japan’s Naomi Osaka on Sunday due to the same issue.
With the decision deemed to be precautionary, Raducanu returned to court on Monday for a tie in which victory would have secured Britain’s place in the quarter-finals.
There were encouraging signs for Raducanu in a 6-3 3-6 6-1 defeat by Greece’s Maria Sakkari – moving freely in a thorough workout, often striking the ball with quality and showing fighting spirit to level the match.
But the British number one understandably showed some rustiness before running out of steam in a physical contest.
“I started hitting two weeks ago, so it’s been a good two and a bit months where I didn’t play,” Raducanu said.
“Being able to produce that, having not played, is just giving me confidence to what I can do when I do practise more.
“I know now I just need to get my head down and keep working.”
Britain missed the chance to win Group E in the mixed team event as Raducanu followed Billy Harris in losing singles matches which could have gone either way.
Olivia Nicholls and Neal Skupski claimed a consolation 6-2 3-6 10-4 victory in the mixed doubles against Despina Papamichail and Stefanos Sakellaridis.
