Raducanu suffers another first-round exit after Abu Dhabi loss

Raducanu suffers another first-round exit after Abu Dhabi loss
skysports - 2/4/2025 8:31:30 PM - GMT (+2 )

Emma Raducanu suffered a disappointing first-round defeat at the Abu Dhabi Open, going down to fellow wildcard Marketa Vondrousova in straight sets 6-3 6-4.

The defeat is the Brit's second first-round exit in quick succession following her loss against world No 101 Cristina Bucsa of Spain in the Singapore Open last month.

Raducanu - who complained of a neck injury during the contest - started positively up against 2023 Wimbledon champion Vondrousova, breaking her opponent to move 3-1 ahead.

In the very next service game, the Brit failed to consolidate that break of serve, however, and was broken straight back by the Czech.

Image: Raducanu suffered her second round-one exit of 2025, losing to Vondrousova at the Abu Dhabi Open

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Buoyed by the momentum of her response, Vondrousova kicked on to hold serve and then break Raducanu again to lead 4-3.

Raducanu's first-set collapse was completed when Vondrousova held serve once more and broke the Brit for a third time to seal the opener 6-3.

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The second set proved tighter as Raducanu dug in to remain on serve through the first six games to 3-3, before a really tight game in which Raducanu repeatedly forced deuce was eventually secured by Vondrousova for 4-3 - the Czech's serve getting her out of trouble.

From a position of 30-0 ahead, Raducanu then lost four straight points on serve to surrender a critical break.

Serving for the match, a nervy Vondrousova fell 15-40 down, allowing Raducanu to break straight back and continue the clash.

The Czech forced three match points on the next Raducanu service game, though, clinching the third of those to seal victory.

Vondrousova will next face fourth seed Yulia Putintseva in the second round.

Raducanu is travelling with only fitness trainer Yutaka Nakamura following former coach Nick Cavaday's decision to step down for health reasons, but she did have another old childhood mentor, Roman Kelecic, in her corner.

Meanwhile, Jodie Burrage was beaten 6-2 6-3 by Ana Bogdan in the Transylvania Open.

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