Emma Raducanu Falls in Dubai Opener to Antonia Ruzic

Feb 16, 2026

55 min

Feb 16, 2026 18:31

Emma Raducanu stunned in opening round defeat in Dubai

## Raducanu's Unexpected Exit

Emma Raducanu, Britain's top tennis player, faced a surprising defeat in the first round of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships. She was beaten by Antonia Ruzic, who entered the tournament as a "lucky loser" after Raducanu's original opponent withdrew due to injury.

## Match Highlights

Ruzic, ranked 42 places below Raducanu, started strong, quickly taking a 3-0 lead in the first set. Despite Raducanu managing to win one game, Ruzic dominated the set. Raducanu, who had recently retired from a match in Doha due to illness, struggled to find her rhythm.

In the second set, Raducanu showed resilience, breaking Ruzic's serve late in the set to win 7-5 and level the match. However, in the final set, despite taking an early 2-0 lead, Raducanu couldn't maintain her momentum. Ruzic fought back, eventually winning the set 6-2.

## Ruzic's Reaction

After the match, Ruzic expressed her excitement over the victory, acknowledging the challenge of facing Raducanu. She reflected on her previous loss in the qualifiers and how she managed to stay calm and perform well under pressure.

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