Emma Raducanu’s four-match losing streak has come to an end after the 2021 US Open champion dismantled former world No. 3 Maria Sakkari 6-4 6-2 in the Dubai first round.
Just two days ago, the organizers of the WTA 1000 tournament in Dubai announced the Briton as a main draw wildcard recipient despite her poor form.
And today, the former world No. 10 hit the court for her opening match – and it went as well as possible – as the 22-year-old routinely handled a tricky opponent to reach the second round and set up a meeting against No. 14 seed Karolina Muchova.
For Raducanu, this was her third win over Sakkari.
Previously, she beat the Greek en route to winning the 2021 US Open and also annihilated the current world No. 29 when they met at Wimbledon last year 6-2 6-3.
“I think in a way we play quite similar. She’s really athletic. I’m not necessarily gonna give all my tactics away… But it’s a very difficult match every time,” the 22-year-old said following her opening Dubai win.
Emma Raducanu© X screenshot
How Raducanu beat Muchova in Dubai?
After starting the match with a break in the opening game, the British tennis star got broken back in the sixth game.
However, the 2021 US Open remained pretty calm and it didn’t take long before she went up by a break again – she took the Greek’s serve in the seventh game.
Up by a break for the second time, Raducanu didn’t make the same mistake again as she routinely held on to her serve for the rest of the first set to clinch the opener.
Just as was the case in the first set, the Briton went up by an early break but Sakkari got it back to tie the second set to two games apiece.
Again, Raducanu didn’t panic as she responded with back-to-back breaks and won four games in a row to complete her win in an impressive way.
Tennis World USA