Emma Raducanu ended her recent losing run with a dominant straight-sets win over Greece's Maria Sakkari in the first round of the Dubai Tennis Championships. The British tennis star secured a 6-4, 6-2 victory in just one hour and 20 minutes, marking a significant confidence boost after a challenging stretch of form.
Raducanu's struggles before Dubai
The 22-year-old entered the tournament on the back of a four-match losing streak, the worst sequence of her career. Her most recent win came at the 2023 Australian Open when she defeated Amanda Anisimova in the second round. Since then, Raducanu had faced setbacks, but this performance against Sakkari marked a strong turnaround.
Emma Raducanu vs Maria Sakkari match highlights
Raducanu, ranked as Britain’s No. 2, showed impressive resilience during the match. She broke Sakkari's serve in the opening game of both sets and demonstrated mental toughness by immediately breaking back after losing her own serve on two occasions. The match featured key momentum shifts, but Raducanu's ability to regroup and respond to challenges was evident.
"There were some momentum shifts throughout the match and when I got broke twice early in the sets I regrouped really well and managed to break back both times," Raducanu said after the match. “I was really pleased with the way I fought and competed against Maria. She is a top player and has been as high as three in the world. I'm really proud of my performance.”
Raducanu will face Karolina Muchova in second round
Raducanu’s victory set her up for a second-round encounter with Czech Republic’s Karolina Muchova. The 14th seed Muchova cruised past Suzan Lamens, securing a 6-2, 6-2 win. Raducanu will be eager to build on her momentum as she takes on Muchova in the next stage of the prestigious Dubai event.
This win marks a promising step forward for Raducanu, as she continues her comeback after a series of tough losses. Her resilience and ability to bounce back will serve her well as she faces tougher competition in the coming rounds of the Dubai Tennis Championships.