Emma Raducanu's Dubai Campaign Ends Abruptly with First-Round Loss
British tennis star Emma Raducanu faced a disappointing exit in the opening round of the Dubai Tennis Championships, succumbing to a 6-1, 5-7, 6-2 defeat against Croatia's Antonia Ruzic. The match, which lasted two hours and 20 minutes, saw Raducanu lose momentum after leading in the decider, ultimately falling to the World No 67 who entered as a 'lucky loser'.
Dramatic Turnaround Seals Victory for Ruzic
Raducanu, the British No 1, had her original opponent Elisabetta Cocciaretto withdraw due to fatigue at late notice, setting up the clash with Ruzic. After a slow start where she fell 3-0 behind in the first set and lost it 6-1, Raducanu fought back impressively in the second set. Despite trailing 5-3, she won four consecutive games, including two breaks of serve, to take the set 7-5 and level the match.
In the deciding set, Raducanu broke serve early to lead 2-0, but Ruzic regained control in a see-saw encounter. The Croatian player reeled off six straight games, capitalising on Raducanu's errors and lack of recovery, to secure the set 6-2 and claim the victory. This loss follows Raducanu's withdrawal from her first-round match at last week's Qatar Open, adding to a challenging period for the young athlete.
Medical Attention Highlights Physical Struggles
During the match, Raducanu received medical attention, underscoring the physical demands of the contest. Her performance wavered as Ruzic, who had lost in the final round of the qualifiers, seized the opportunity with aggressive play. Raducanu was broken twice in the first set and struggled to maintain her serve throughout, highlighting areas for improvement in her game.
The defeat marks a setback for Raducanu, who has been working to regain form after previous injuries. Fans and analysts will be watching closely to see how she bounces back in upcoming tournaments, as she aims to climb the rankings and build consistency on the WTA tour.
