Emma Raducanu endured a tough battle at the Dubai Tennis Championships, ultimately falling to Karolina Muchova in the second round. In a match filled with momentum swings, the 22-year-old Briton fought back from a difficult start but eventually lost 7-6 (6), 6-4 to the Czech 14th seed.
Raducanu struggled early in the rain-delayed match, dropping two service games and quickly falling 4-0 behind. However, she responded with a brilliant backhand return down the line to break Muchova in the fifth game before holding serve for the first time. Another break in the ninth game brought her even closer, narrowing the deficit to 5-4.
She showed resilience by saving two set points to force a tie-break and even had a set point of her own, but Muchova held her nerve to close it out 8-6. The second set began in a similar fashion, with Raducanu losing serve in the opening game. She fought hard and created three break point opportunities in the sixth game but failed to convert any of them. Muchova ultimately maintained her lead to secure a 6-4 victory and progress to the last 16.
Elsewhere in the tournament, Coco Gauff suffered a surprising exit at the hands of fellow American McCartney Kessler. The world No 3 struggled to impose herself as Kessler, ranked No 53, claimed a 6-4, 7-5 victory her first win over a top-10 player. Kessler took the opening set 6-4 and immediately broke Gauff’s serve in the first game of the second set. Though Gauff attempted to mount a comeback, she was unable to shift the momentum and bowed out in straight sets.
Meanwhile, world No 1 Aryna Sabalenka advanced with a composed 6-3, 6-4 victory over Veronika Kudermetova, while second-ranked Iga Swiatek delivered a dominant performance against Victoria Azarenka, sweeping past her 6-0, 6-2.
Rain delays caused disruptions throughout the day, including a significant delay in Jasmine Paolini’s match against Germany’s Eva Lys. The Italian fourth seed was on match point when play was halted at 2:15 pm local time. After nearly five hours, the players finally returned to court, and Paolini wasted no time, needing just nine shots to seal a 6-2, 7-5 victory.
Looking ahead, Raducanu and British No 1 Katie Boulter are set to compete in the newly introduced HSBC Championships in London. This tournament marks the return of professional women’s tennis to Queen’s Club for the first time in over 50 years and will take place from June 7-15.
The event will feature a strong lineup, including Australian Open champion Madison Keys, four-time Grand Slam winner Naomi Osaka, and defending Eastbourne champion Daria Kasatkina. Additional names are expected to be announced for what promises to be a high-profile WTA 500 tournament.
