World number 31 Raducanu, the 30th seed, managed only 16 winners to Bucsa’s 28, but maintained the upper hand in the key exchanges.

She saved six break points in a competitive first set before winning the final two games to seemingly take charge of the match.

Raducanu won the opening two games of the second but, after missing the chance to go 3-0 up, was pegged back as Bucsa finally broke serve to draw level at 2-2.

She broke back immediately and won four of the final five games.

Raducanu, who had a bye in the first round, was playing for the first time since losing to Barbora Krejcikova in the quarter-finals of the Korea Open this month, when she missed three match points.

“I’m very happy to have gotten over it and after a tough one last week to bounce back,” said Raducanu, before impressing the crowd by speaking Mandarin.

“I really want to do well here. I’m half-Chinese so it’s great to come back.”