Emma Raducanu fails to overcome hand injury as Danka Kovinic wins gruelling Australian Open match

Emma Raducanu failed to overcome a painful hand injury as Danka Kovinic condemned the US Open champion to a second round exit. Having won her Australian Open debut against Sloane Stephens on Tuesday, Raducanu was troubled throughout her match with the Montenegrin, taking several breaks to attend to strapping on her right hand.

Ad/> The apparent blisters proved a challenge throughout with Raducanu ailed particularly on serve, and Kovinic capitalised to survive a gruelling encounter, securing a 6-4 4-6 6-3 win. Australian Open‘Really seemed to hurt' — Raducanu doubles over in painAN HOUR AGO The 27-year-old is through to the third round of a major for the first time in her career, felling the most recent Grand Slam winner and seventeenth with a canny performance despite making regular errors of her own.

She could face Simona Halep in the third round with the Romanian due to take on Beatriz Haddad Maia later on Thursday on Rod Laver Arena. ‘Really seemed to hurt' — Raducanu doubles over in pain 'Emma, Emma!' — Raducanu heads to wrong end of court as umpire gets involved 'It changes how you feel' — Raducanu charge halted by blister Just as in her opening match in Melbourne against Stephens, Raducanu started the encounter with Kovinic superbly, unfurling a fine array of opening ground strokes to race into a 3-0 advantage.

But her Montenegrin opponent fought back, drawing level with successive breaks as a bothersome hand injury forced Raducanu to take a medical timeout to reapply strapping. A fourth game in a row went the way of Kovinic, and she set up a chance to serve for the set after breaking for a third time as Raducanu's high lifted shot floated wide.

The British teenager had to respond, and did. Manipulating Kovinic