Emma Raducanu advanced on Monday to the second round of the WTA Abu Dhabi event and will now try to step up to a win over a Top 10 opponent
The 21-year-old Brit who won the 2021 US Open as a qualifier but has suffered badly with poor form and injury since then,
Raducanu began her week in the Gulf with a 6-4, 6-1 defeat of Czech Marie Bouzkova and now lines up against world No. 6 Ons Jabeur, twice a Wimbledon finalist. .
“Bouzkova was a very difficult opponent; she’s really tough to put the ball away against, she makes so many balls,” Raducanu said.
“I’m really pleased to come through that.
“I took a little bit to get adjusted to the speed of her ball and the court and the conditions playing at night, but I’m really happy with the way I calibrated.”
The match started with breaks of serve in seven of the first nine games before order was somewhat restored as the Briton won the opening set before steadying to dominate the second for victory.
Raducanu called Jabeur “definitely the home favorite here, rightfully so,” adding:
“I really like Ons, she’s someone who’s kind of taken me under her wing as I’ve been new to the tour.
“I’m really looking forward to it because a lot of people were saying to me, ‘Oh, Ons, Ons, Ons!’
“And I was like, ‘I’m playing Marie who’s ranked like 30 in the world, so that’s not an easy match!’
“I’m really pleased to have put myself in this situation, and I’m going out with nothing to lose against her.”
Raducanu, the No. 296 who once briefly cracked the Top 10 before falling back, has lost all four times she has played elite opponents in her career.
Main photo:- Emma Raducanu winning in Abu Dhabi by WTATennis.com
