In a stunning upset at the Dubai Tennis Championships, British number one Emma Raducanu was eliminated in the opening round by 'lucky loser' Antonia Ruzic. The match, which took place on Monday 16 February 2026, ended with a scoreline of 6-1, 5-7, 6-2 in favour of the Croatian player.
A Dramatic Three-Set Encounter
Raducanu, who had originally been scheduled to face Elisabetta Cocciaretto before her opponent withdrew due to fatigue, struggled to find her rhythm early on. She fell behind 3-0 in the first set and was broken twice, allowing Ruzic to wrap up the set in just half an hour. The Croatian, who had lost in the final round of the qualifiers, seized her opportunity against the British star, who was also coming off a withdrawal from her first-round match at the Qatar Open the previous week.
Raducanu's Fightback Falls Short
The second set saw a remarkable turnaround as Raducanu battled back from a 5-3 deficit. She broke Ruzic's serve twice, winning four consecutive games to take the set 7-5 and level the match. This resurgence continued into the decider, where Raducanu secured an early break to lead 2-0, seemingly gaining control of the contest.
However, momentum shifted dramatically as Ruzic wrestled back control. The Croatian won the next six games in a row, capitalising on Raducanu's loss of form to clinch the final set 6-2. The victory was sealed after two hours and twenty minutes of intense play, marking a significant triumph for Ruzic and a disappointing exit for Raducanu.
Key Moments and Analysis
Raducanu's Inconsistency: Despite showing flashes of brilliance in the second set, Raducanu's performance was marred by inconsistency. Her inability to maintain momentum after leading 2-0 in the decider proved costly, as she lost all six subsequent games.
Ruzic's Resilience: Antonia Ruzic demonstrated impressive resilience, recovering from a set down and a break deficit in the third set. Her ability to capitalise on Raducanu's errors and maintain composure under pressure was a key factor in her victory.
This result adds to a challenging period for Raducanu, who has faced setbacks in recent tournaments. For Ruzic, it represents a notable achievement, advancing her in a prestigious WTA event as a lucky loser.
