Raducanu exits Dubai Tennis Championships in first round
British number one Emma Raducanu has been eliminated from the Dubai Tennis Championships in the opening round. Raducanu, who recently reached the Transylvania Open final—the first since her 2021 US Open victory—was defeated by Croatian player Antonia Ruzic.
Despite recovering from a set and a break down to force a deciding set, Raducanu ultimately lost 6-1, 5-7, 6-2 to Ruzic, who is ranked 67th in the world.
Ruzic's unexpected entry and victory
Ruzic entered the main draw as one of seven lucky losers from qualifying, filling spots vacated due to injuries, illnesses, or schedule changes among other players. This opportunity came with minimal preparation time, making her victory over a top 30 player a significant milestone.
"We were going to stay here for two-three days. It's crazy because I got in on Monday. Playing against Emma, of course, is a tough match," Ruzic said.
"A lot of the girls were cancelling and a lot of them were not here to sign (as alternates). I was like 'OK, I'm going to sign and let's see what happens'."
Raducanu was originally set to face Elisabetta Cocciaretto, who withdrew due to a thigh injury. Ruzic capitalized on this chance, winning the first set in just 30 minutes after breaking Raducanu twice.
Match progression and Raducanu's resilience
Following the first set, Raducanu sought medical attention, similar to her previous week at the Qatar Open where she retired from her opening match. Despite trailing 5-3 in the second set after another break, Raducanu mounted a comeback, securing two breaks to level the match.
She then won six consecutive games spanning the end of the second set and the start of the third to lead 2-0 in the decider. However, Ruzic responded strongly, winning the next six games to clinch the match.
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