London, Jan. 5 -- Emma Raducanu withdrew from her match against Naomi Osaka as Great Britain started their United Cup campaign with a 2-1 group-stage win against Japan in Australia.
According to BBC sport, the British number one has not played since October and pulled out of two exhibition matches in the United States in December because of a minor foot issue.
Her withdrawal against Osaka in Perth comes in the lead up to the Australian Open, which begins in Melbourne on January 18.
"I have to be honest, she was very close," GB team captain Tim Henman told Australian broadcaster Nine prior to the tie.
"It wasn't an easy decision. She had been building up and practising really well. But we just felt this morning it was a little bit too ea...