Billie Jean King Cup Finals 2024: Emma Raducanu win gives Great Britain lead against Germany

Ever since Raducanu won the 2021 US Open as a teenage qualifier, she has often found herself at the centre of attention.

It has been no different in Malaga this week and, while that can often be uncomfortable in a team environment, the focus was justified with plenty of intrigue about Raducanu’s fitness.

Raducanu had not played since 21 September when she retired from her Korea Open quarter-final against Daria Kasatkina after damaging ligaments in her left foot.

A month ago she was still wearing a protective boot. On Thursday she insisted she was ready. But what shape would she really be in?

After a demoralising US Open first-round exit, Raducanu lamented the lack of court time in the run-up and it led to valid questions about her match sharpness in Malaga.

Rustiness in the returning showed in the opening exchanges against 92nd-ranked Niemeier before she quickly began to find rhythm.

Her serving was particularly effective in the first set – especially in the key moments.

Seven aces, including four as she recovered from 0-40 for a 5-3 lead, and winning 80% of her points on first serve did the damage.

Niemeier, 25, has a powerful game which lent itself to success on the Wimbledon grass but, after a strong start against Raducanu, her service game disintegrated and confidence seemed to sap.

After an exchange of breaks early in the second set, Raducanu locked in again mentally to move a double break ahead.

But if the hefty British presence at the Palacio de Deportes thought it was going to be straightforward conclusion from there, they were mistaken.

Getting over the line was where Raducanu’s lack of court time told.

Raducanu lost one serve after squandering a match point at 5-2, could not take three more opportunities in the ninth game, but finally sealed victory at the sixth time of asking.

“I haven’t played a match in a long time so the sharpness will come. I’m proud of how I regrouped,” Raducanu said.