Great Britain’s Emma Raducanu was knocked out of the the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships by 14th seed Karolina Muchova in a hard-fought second-round showdown.
The 22-year-old fought back from a dreadful start to take the first set to a tie-break, but ultimately went down 7-6 (6) 6-4 to miss out on a last-16 clash with American McCartney Kessler, who had earlier dumped world number three Coco Gauff out of the tournament.
Raducanu, who appeared to be in tears as she went to the umpire’s chair after the second game, suffered a nightmare opening to a rain-delayed encounter, losing both of her service games as she fell 4-0 behind.
Magical Muchova
— wta (@WTA) February 18, 2025
After a competitive match, Karolina Muchova knocks out Raducanu 7-6(6), 6-4 to reach the Round of 16.#DDFTennis pic.twitter.com/502Do7dQXa
However, she broke back in the fifth courtesy of a stunning backhand return down the line before holding serve for the first time, and she was right back in it when she broke for a second time in the ninth game to trail only 5-4.
The Briton saved two set points to take it to a tie-break but it was her 28-year-old Czech opponent who eventually prevailed 8-6.
Raducanu’s disappointment was compounded when she was broken again in the first game of the second set and after failing to convert any of the three break points she earned in the sixth game, it was Muchova who edged across the line 6-4.
Gauff too went out in straight sets as compatriot Kessler claimed a first top-10 win.
Simply Unstoppable
— wta (@WTA) February 18, 2025
McCartney Kessler upsets the World No. 3 in straight sets after a commanding performance 6-4, 7-5!#DDFTennis pic.twitter.com/5Uglitdsuf
The 25-year-old sprang a surprise when she took the first set 6-4 and broke in the first game of the second to pile on the pressure.
The second set proved equally tight, but Gauff was ultimately unable to turn it around as she went down 6-4 7-5.
There were no such problems for world number one Aryna Sabalenka, who dispensed with Veronika Kudermetova 6-3 6-4.
The rain also meant Italian fourth seed Jasmine Paolini had to wait nearly five hours on match point against Germany’s Eva Lys.
lights out tennis @iga_swiatek takes out Azarenka in straight sets 6-0, 6-2 for a spot in the Round of 16!#DDFTennis pic.twitter.com/a0bYlj2Krh
— wta (@WTA) February 18, 2025
The players went off at 2.15pm local time and it was approaching 7pm when they finally returned.
Just nine shots later Paolini had completed a 6-2 7-5 victory.
World number two Iga Swiatek did not waste any time when her match eventually got going, dismantling Victoria Azarenka 6-0 6-2.
Elsewhere, 11th seed Diana Shnaider lost in three sets to Linda Noskova, while there were wins for Jessica Pegula, Elena Rybakina, Paula Badosa, Dayana Yastremska, Sofia Kenin and Clara Tauson.
