Emma Raducanu’s frustrating start to the 2026 season continued on Monday as the British number one was defeated in the first round of the Dubai Tennis Championships by Antonia Ruzic, a qualifier who entered the tournament as a lucky loser. The match concluded with a 6-1, 5-7, 6-2 scoreline in favor of Ruzic.
The Croatian, ranked 67th in the world, benefited from a series of withdrawals that created openings in the main draw. Raducanu’s original opponent, Elisabetta Cocciaretto, was forced to withdraw due to a thigh injury. Ruzic, having lost in the qualifying rounds, was then granted a second chance in the tournament.
Ruzic described her path to the match as a “crazy turnaround,” noting her limited preparation time. “We were going to stay here for two-three days. It’s crazy because I got in on Monday. Playing against Emma, of course, is a tough match,” she said, explaining that she proactively signed up as an alternate when several players pulled out. This victory marks Ruzic’s first career win against a top 30-ranked opponent.
The opening set saw Ruzic dominate, securing a 6-1 victory in just 30 minutes, breaking Raducanu twice. During the second set, Raducanu sought medical attention, a recurrence of a similar situation from the previous week at the Qatar Open, where she was forced to retire from her first-round match.
Despite facing a 5-3 deficit in the second set, Raducanu demonstrated resilience, winning two consecutive breaks to level the set at 5-5 and ultimately taking it 7-5. She then carried that momentum into the deciding set, winning the first two games. However, Ruzic responded emphatically, winning the next six games to secure the match.
Raducanu’s 2026 season has been marked by inconsistency. Prior to Dubai, she reached the final of the Transylvania Open but retired from her first-round match in Qatar due to high blood pressure. Her results thus far this year include a quarter-final appearance in Hobart, a second-round exit at the Australian Open, and now a first-round defeat in Dubai.
