Score and latest update from Champions of Tennis tournament

Hello and welcome to what should be a special occasion at the Royal Albert Hall as Emma Raducanu plays her first match on home soil since winning the US Open in September.

Since her remarkable win in New York, Raducanu has been unsuccessful in three events and turned 19 earlier this month.

But with her season coming to an end, Raducanu will be able to get the adoration of British fans today when she faces Romanian Elena-Gabriela Ruse in an exhibition match. 

Speaking ahead of the match, former British No 1 Annabel Croft said Raducanu’s unpredcented rise means she has missed out on some important development steps.

“She’s going back to the beginning, doing it in reverse and going through her apprenticeship now,” said Croft.

“It’s an extraordinary situation that most players she’s facing have three, four, maybe 10 years more experience than her.

“Now she’s going to have to go through all these matches, where she’s going to have to learn about different situations, which will take time. She’s so young but I think she’s intelligent enough to cope with it.”

Fresh from her first holiday in seven years – Raducanu’s new coach, Torben Beltz, is not expected to be present for the event. The players’ competitive edge, however, will be. “We are really happy to play against each other,” said Ruse. “It’s funny, because Emma has told me, ‘Gabby, take it easy on me – it’s just an exhibition match.’”

Having climbed an incredible 324 places in the WTA rankings to break inside the world’s top 20 this year, Raducanu’s homecoming – tickets for which sold out within a week – will provide a flavour of the hype and attention the star will receive during her first full season on tour next year.

“We signed Emma to play before the US Open – the fact she went on to win it was a huge shot in the arm for us,” said Paul McCann, the vice-president of tennis events at IMG, the agency which also manages Raducanu. “To have the US Open Champion and hottest property in women’s tennis come and play at our event is huge, we’re all incredibly excited about it.”