Raducanu Defeated by Muchova in Dubai Second Round Match

Image source: Reuters

Raducanu Accepted a Wildcard for the Dubai Tennis Championships

Published 5 hours ago by Emma Raducanu, who was eliminated in the second round of the Dubai Tennis Championships after losing to Karolina Muchova. Early on in their match, there were concerns as Raducanu appeared emotional and struggled with her breathing when trailing 2-0.

Raducanu persevered through a tough fightback from behind but ultimately lost a tie-break that sealed the match at 7-6 (8-6) 6-4. Muchova had secured an early break in the second set, allowing her to maintain control and take victory against Raducanu.

Raducanu recently made a comeback into the top 60 of WTA rankings after missing most of the previous season due to wrist and ankle surgeries. In the first round at Dubai, she ended an extended losing streak with a straight-set win over Greece’s Maria Sakkari.

After Muchova took an early lead in their match, Raducanu consulted with the umpire. This interaction seemed consoling for her Czech opponent as they continued their play. As runner-up at the French Open last year, Muchova now faces McCartney Kessler after upsetting world number three Coco Gauff.

Elsewhere in Dubai, third-seeded Gauff suffered another loss to World number 53 Kessler. Since losing to Paula Badosa in the Australian Open quarter-finals earlier this year, Gauff has struggled at major tournaments, including second-round defeats at Qatar and Dubai Tennis Championships following a bye in their first round.

Kessler saved six of seven break points she faced against her fellow American during the match before securing victory with scores 6-4 7-5. It marked Kessler’s first win over a top-10 player and third-round entry at a WTA 1,000 event for the first time.

Aryna Sabalenka dominated qualifier Veronika Kudermetova with straight-set scores of 6-3 and 6-4. Iga Swiatek also excelled in her match against Victoria Azarenka, winning by set scores of 6-0 and 6-2.

Jasmine Paolini continued her title defense victory over Germany’s Eva Lys with a scoreline of 6-2 and 7-5. However, Ons Jabeur was eliminated from the tournament after losing to Peyton Stearns by scores of 7-6 (8-6) and 6-4.

With victories in her matches, sixth-seeded Elena Rybakina advanced into the last sixteen against world number ten Paula Badosa. Rybakina defeated Moyuka Uchijima with set scores of 6-3 and 6-2 while Badosa triumphed over Elise Mertens by a scoreline of 6-2 and 6-1.