Emma Raducanu fought hard to get back into the match after a slow start against Karolina Muchova but still ended up suffering a 6-7 (6) 4-6 defeat in th Dubai second round.
Through the opening four games of the match, the 2023 French Open finalist absolutely dominated and easily went 4-0 up.
But just when it started to seem that the Czech was on her way to bageling the Briton, the 2021 US Open champion woke up and responded with breaks in the fifth and ninth games to tie the opener to five games apiece.
In the 12th game, Raducanu saved two set points to force a tie-break before even opening a 5-2 lead there and having a set point at 6-5.
But then, Muchova won the next three points to clinch a thriller first set.
After sealing the first set, the No. 14 seed also broke the British tennis player in the opening game of the second set and then just held on to her serve for the rest of the match to complete a two-set win.
Muchova d. Emma Raducanu 7-6(6) 6-4
Karolina survives a rollercoaster.
From 5-2 up in the 1st set, Karolina ended up having to save set points.
Highly competitive match.
Both players had their chances, but Karolina took them.
✅2nd R16 in Dubai
Great stuff.
🇨🇿❤️ pic.twitter.com/O44FSjXHQo
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) February 18, 2025
In the Dubai round-of-16, the Czech will face McCartney Kessler, who upset Coco Gauff today.
Raducanu snapped her four-match losing streak in Dubai
After being handed a late main draw wildcard for the WTA 1000 tournament in Dubai, the 2021 US Open champion beat Maria Sakkari in the opening round 6-4 6-2.
For the 22-year-old, it was her first win since beating Amanda Anisimova in the Australian Open second round.
Unfortunately for Raducanu, she failed to back up her notable win over Sakkari and clinch back-to-back wins.
Now, she will probably rest a bit and turn her focus to the Sunshine Double in Indian Wells and Miami.
Tennis World USA