Having pulled out of her season-opening occasion in Auckland after struggling a again spasm, Raducanu had not performed since mid-November earlier than her first-round win over Ekaterina Alexandrova.
Raducanu struggled along with her second serve towards the Russian 26nd seed, hitting 15 double faults which she put all the way down to a remodelled serve and early match nerves.
One other on her first service level towards Anisimova was not an encouraging begin.
Though she rapidly stemmed the circulate, Raducanu’s serve was often punished by the American’s explosive hitting.
However Anisimova – who reached the French Open semi-finals as a 17-year-old in 2019 and is re-establishing herself after taking a psychological well being break from the game in 2023 – additionally had points along with her serve and handed over the opening set with a double fault.
Firstly of the second set, there have been additional indicators of Raducanu’s again concern having an impact.
Afterwards, Raducanu mentioned she had not “absolutely investigated” whether or not it was associated to the again spasm.
“When you have not performed a match in so lengthy, then to have two actually bodily ones, I believe small niggles are going to return up right here and there,” she added.
“I am simply hoping that it’s that.”
After stretching out the realm between factors, three double faults handed over one other break and Raducanu referred to as the coach when she misplaced serve once more for 3-0.
The physiological, and maybe psychological, enhance helped her instantly.