Another big chance for Emma Raducanu as Jule Niemeier goes long before double-faulting, and then finding the fence.

Two break points for the 22-year-old.

Lucie Ahl
Former British number one

Both players are hitting their spots really well at the moment.

It will be interesting to see if that continues as the set goes on.

They are forcing each other to have to go big.

A huge roar and a clenched fist from Emma Raducanu as she fires down two huge aces. Nicely done.

Image source, Getty Images

Emma Raducanu is not messing around with these second serves.

There's a bit too much on that one, though, and the British number two double-faults before Jule Niemeier pulls level at 30-30.

A sigh of relief for Jule Niemeier, who gets the hold over the line with an overhead smash and a forehand winner down the line.

Positive signs for Raducanu, though.

Emma Raducanu tries to squeeze in the return but it just misses and we head back to deuce.

Image source, Getty Images

The first break point goes to Emma Raducanu as Jule Niemeier double-faults.

That net cord is working in Emma Raducanu's favour today. Another ball catches it and dribbles over, pulling the Briton back to 30-30.

Jule Niemeier follows up an overhead winner with a miss and we go to deuce for the first time.

Jonathan Jurejko
BBC Sport in Malaga

If you've never seen Niemeier play before, or forgotten her run to the 2022 Wimbledon quarter-finals, her serving games have been a reminder of the power she possesses.

Raducanu's returning is understandably a little rusty after so long away.

But the German's 110mph serves and jackhammer forehands are helping her quickly get up back to speed.

Lucie Ahl
Former British number one

Emma Raducanu hasn't had the opportunity to play as much as she would like.

You have to be cautious when you are coming back [from injury], you don't want to overplay.

Emma Raducanu holds her hands up in apology as she gets luck with a net cord and the ball trickles over. 30-0.

Jule Niemeier manages to return a huge serve down the T, but Raducanu has already made her way to the net and she slams down a winner.

A double fault hands Niemeier a point back, but the German goes long with the next one.

Another solid service game from Jule Niemeier, who comes to the net to win the first two points.

Some big hitting follows and Emma Raducanu can only find the net to gift her German opponent a hold to love.

An ace followed by a decent second serve opens up a 40-15 lead for Emma Raducanu and the British number two gets the job done by sending Jule Niemeier out wide with another hefty second serve.

Image source, Reuters

Lucie Ahl
Former British number one

Good opening game, always important just to settle yourself in.

It's a very different atmosphere when you are representing your country.

It's important to be able to get on the scoreboard early.

A strong start for Germany's Jule Niemeier, who comes to the net and slams home a cross-court winner to wrap up a quick hold to 15.

*denotes next server

Jonathan Jurejko
BBC Sport in Malaga

Image source, BBC Sport

A welcome sight for British tennis fans... Emma Raducanu back on a match court.

Guttural roars greet her name being read out, with the decibels increasing when the MC reminds us that she won the 2021 US Open.

Think Raducanu smiled towards the British fans when she heard that one. Halcyon days.

Here we go then. Can Emma Raducanu set Great Britain on their way?

Jonathan Jurejko
BBC Sport in Malaga

Image source, Getty Images

Little over a month ago, Emma Raducanu posted photographs on Instagram in which she was still wearing a protective boot on her left foot.

Questions were naturally raised about whether the ligament injury would rule her out of the Billie Jean King Cup Finals.

Raducanu, though, has not played since 21 September when she retired from her Korea Open quarter-final against Daria Kasatkina, but on Thursday she insisted she was ready.

"I'm in a place where I feel good and confident to give it my all if I'm to be on the match court," said Raducanu, who is "in discussions" about bringing Naomi Osaka's former fitness trainer Yutaka Nakamura into her team.

"I've been training in the last three weeks on it, properly building up and last week I was throwing myself around the court. It's feeling good.

"I'm happy to be in this position especially because it did take longer than we think. I feel really fit."

Read more.

Image source, Getty Images

Emma Raducanu was the star for Great Britain in April's qualifiers against France.

The 22-year-old staged two comeback victories against Caroline Garcia and Diane Parry, who were playing in front of a home crowd in Le Portel.

Raducanu reached the fourth round of Wimbledon this year, but she only played one tournament between then and August's US Open, where she fell in the first round.

After an injury-plagued 2023, her 2024 season has also been disrupted and she has not played since retiring with a foot injury from the quarter-finals of the Korea Open in September.

Image source, Getty Images

Germany booked their ticket to Malaga after beating Brazil 3-1 in April's qualifier.

World number 84 Laura Siegemund is the highest-ranked player in the team. She's an experienced doubles player, claiming Grand Slam success in the mixed doubles at the French Open this year.

Siegemund is joined by Jule Niemeier, who reached the third round of the US Open this season, veteran Tatjana Maria, while Eva Lys completes the team.