Moscow no-show: US Open champ Raducanu pulls out of Kremlin Cup after falling flat at first appearance since Grand Slam triumph

US Open winner Emma Raducanu cited a ‘schedule change’ as the teenage star announced her withdrawal from the Kremlin Cup, meaning the Brit’s wait goes on for a first win following her success in New York.

Raducanu, 18, was due to take part in the WTA event in the Russian capital where the main draw runs from October 18 to 26.

“Unfortunately I’ve had to make a tournament schedule change and won’t be able to play Moscow this year, but I hope to compete there and in front of the Russian fans next year. I look forward to returning to the Tour in the next couple of weeks,” read a statement from Raducanu explaining her decision.

Following her sensational title win at Flushing Meadows last month – where she became the first qualifier ever to clinch a Grand Slam – Raducanu made a disappointing return to action at Indian Wells. 

The Brit bowed out at the first hurdle against world number 100 Aliaksandra Sasnovich of Belarus, losing in straight sets 6-2 6-4 in front of an expectant crowd in California. 

Raducanu had the opportunity to return to winning ways at the WTA 500 indoor event at the Luzhniki Olympic complex in Moscow, but is now expected to take to the court again at the Transylvania Open in her father’s Romanian homeland later this month.

After her defeat to Sasnovich, Raducanu fans and pundits had argued over the hype surrounding the young star, who was feted at fashion galas and glitzy media events in a whirlwind few weeks.

Raducanu, who was elevated to world number 22 thanks to her maiden Grand Slam win, had suggested the loss to Sasnovich was a welcome part of her learning curve.

“I’m still very, very new to the tour. I think that experience just comes from playing week in, week out and experiencing all these different things,” the Brit explained.

“I’m kind of glad that what happened today happened so I can learn and take it as a lesson so going forward I’ll just have more experienced banked.”