Emma Raducanu mysteriously broke down in tears as she slipped to a second-round defeat against Karolina Muchova at the Dubai Championships.
After going down an early break against her Czech opponent, Raducanu was visibly upset as she walked off court minutes into the contest and appeared to hide behind the umpire’s chair as she wiped tears away from her face.
Credit: Lisa_Talking/X
Both players had faced an insufferable wait to step out into the humid conditions on a rare rain-affected day in the Middle East, but with no microphones courtside – and with Raducanu appearing to move relatively freely – the source of her fleeting distress was unclear.
Muchova joined Raducanu behind the umpire’s chair to sportingly console the Briton, who dabbed her eyes with her towel as she recomposed herself before returning to the court, only to go down a double break.
Following a slew of recent losses since her exit to Iga Swiatek at the Australian Open, Raducanu’s serve had shown notable improvement in her first-round win in Dubai over Greece’s Maria Sakkari, although any hope of building on that solitary victory looked in jeopardy after her shaky and melancholic start.
Muchova eventually prevailed 7-6, 6-4, closing out a nip-and-tuck contest as the clock neared midnight in Dubai, but Raducanu deserves considerable credit for the manner in which she battled back after looking visibly panicked.
Credit: Sky Sports Tennis
While she continues to count on her close friend and confidant Jane O’Donoghue, the 22-year-old had to navigate this unfortunate episode weeks after parting with her former coach Nick Cavaday, who stepped away earlier this month for health reasons.
She dug deep to win the next two games, breaking the Muchova serve and seized upon a momentum shift as she settled into a steadier rhythm.
Her sudden resurgence was enough to throw Muchova, a former top-10 player whose career shares parallels with Raducanu’s in how it has been blighted by injury, off her stride. While the 2023 French Open finalist flew into a 4-0 lead, there was little variety to her shot-making, and she was found out by Raducanu’s blistering backhand. Indeed, in a snapshot of how there was little to separate the pair as the match wore on, Raducanu won 79 points to Muchova’s 78.
Muchova is a player who tends to move forward, but was not allowed that luxury as Raducanu pinned her behind the baseline and let out a gritty cry of “Come on!” after breaking the Czech’s serve to grab a foothold in the match at 4-2.
Despite leaking three double faults, Raducanu’s backhand began looking increasingly dangerous and it became her main weapon to extract errors from the erratic Muchova, who rode her luck with a flurry of net chords after Raducanu forced an opening set tie-break.
The 22-year-old earned a mini-break with a gutsy net reaction and continued leaning into Muchova’s wobbly backhand to establish a 4-2 lead as the pair changed ends, but her level dipped after she smashed down an easy volley into the net. It felt like a crucial moment in a contest that ebbed and flowed. While Muchova was doing little to justify her 14th seeding, she produced a flawless first serve when it mattered to restore a two-game lead in the second set.
In a rinse and repeat of earlier, Raducanu valiantly saved five break points as she trailed 4-2 in the second set but Muchova kept turning the screw to grind out a victory.
08:58 PM GMT
Djokovic shocked by Berrettini
Another shock in the tennis world came in Qatar today where Novak Djokovic’s return from injury was brought to an abrupt end by Matteo Berrettini.
The Serb, playing for the first time since withdrawing due to injury in the semi-finals of the Australian Open in January, was beaten in the second round 7-6 (7/4), 6-2 in what was his first ever defeat by the Italian.
Djokovic, who was the third seed and had a first-round bye, said that he was beaten fairly and squarely by Berrettini.
“I was outplayed by just a better player today,” said the 24-time grand slam champion, who confirmed earlier this week that Andy Murray is to continue as his coach “indefinitely”.
“I wasn’t at my desired level, and it could be that I’m still not moving the way I want to move, but I played without pain, so there is no excuse in that.
“I think he played a masterclass match to be honest, tactically, and served very well, so just a very deserved win from his side.”
08:22 PM GMT
Gauff shock rubs salt in the wound
The next-most galling thing about this narrow defeat for Raducanu is the fact that she would not have had to face Coco Gauff in the next round had she won through.
Gauff, the world No 3, was shocked by fellow American Mccartney Kessler, who gave a marvellous performance to triumph 6-4, 7-5, but Raducanu would have fancied her chances. Kessler is ranked 53rd in the world.
08:17 PM GMT
From tears to a tie-break
We’re not sure quite what happened at the start of the match and why Raducanu became upset. Whether it was a health issue or something else only she – and the umpire – knows.
Whatever it was, it seemed to trouble her for the first few matches, which she lost by quite a margin, but then she somehow gathered herself demonstrated wonderful spirit to battle back, get into the match and force the tie-break.
08:01 PM GMT
Valiant defeat for Raducanu
Raducanu has lost again but not by much. A bizarre start to a rain-delayed match had the Briton in tears after the second game for reasons unknown.
She then lost four straight games before battling back gamely to force a tie-break, in which she had a set point.
But Muchova came good in the clutch points and, despite her backhand not really working properly, showed enough variety and power on her forehand side – and servc when it mattered – to edge victory.
Raducanu can take plenty of heart from this resilient display. A valiant defeat in which she got more first serves in (66%) than her opponent. Indeed, Raducanu actually won on points won 79-78. That’s tennis!
07:54 PM GMT
Muchova wins 7-6 (8-6), 6-4
Can Raducanu break Muchova to stay alive in round two?
Raducanu returns well and Muchova fluffs her lines. 0-15.
The Briton then melts a backhand return cross-court – her favourite shot today. 0-30.
Muchova is missing her first serves and Raducanu is looking to take advantage.
She tries to kill another second serve but this time finds the net. 15-30.
Brave tennis by Muchova who races to the net to win the point with a drive volley on the run, 30-30.
Good return by Raducanu but Muchova responds with a blistering forehand to bring up match point.
A long point has Muchova on the back foot for a moment but Raducanu goes long with her attempted pass and that’s the end of the match.
Muchova wins, but it was an engaging two hours and four minutes. A close-run thing for Raducanu.
Muchova wins the match 7-6 (8-6), 6-4.
07:47 PM GMT
Raducanu* 6-7 (8-6), 4-5 Muchova
Raducanu is serving to stay in the match.
She wins the first point with a good serve but Muchova takes a well-constructed point, sending Raducanu the wrong way with a crosscourt forehand.
Three good serves from Raducanu makes short work of the hold.
It’s all on the next game, though, with Muchova serving for the match.
07:44 PM GMT
Raducanu 6-7 (8-6), 3-5 Muchova*
Muchova takes the first point with another booming serve but Raducanu takes the second as she pins Muchova behind the baseline and forces her to fire wide.
Raducanu goes wide with her next return and a vicious, swerving forehand into the corner is too good for Raducanu. 40-15.
The Briton comes to the net and misses a volley but it stays in play and then she puts away her smash at the net. 40-30.
Brilliant! A massive return down the line on her backhand side from Raducanu brings up deuce.
But Muchova produces an ace for game point. Dispiriting.
Raducanu surprisingly sends a slow slice to the Muchova forehand but strangely the Czech misses on her favoured side, putting the ball into the net. Deuce.
Muchova looks out of it as Raducanu hots a glorious return but Muchova steers a backhand from behind the baseline into the corner for a delightful winner.
A big serve and a pulverising forehand and that’s the game.
07:35 PM GMT
Raducanu* 6-7 (8-6), 3-4 Muchova
Raducanu has played well so far this match, showing great resilience, but two unforced errors and a booming forehand down the line by Muchova and she’s up against it. 0-40.
Raducanu constructs a well-won point there, sending Much9ova left and right before converting a coross-court pass.
Again the Briton targets Muchova’s backhand and the Czech errs. 30-40.
This time Raducanu gets a fortuitous let-cord but Muchova should take the game at the net. However, she volleys long.
A blistering return and a thumping forehand and it’s break point No 4 for Muchova.
Raducanu saves it with another sweet backhand.
Raducanu forced Muchova wide but finds the tramlines with her backhand with an open court at her mercy. Advantage Muchova.
The Czech goes long on that second serve and break point No 5 is saved by Raducanu.
A long rally with bold, deep ground strokes from both players is ended by Muchova finding the tramlines with her backhand.
And Raducanu hits the line with a winner to hold. Gutsy stuff from the girl from Bromley!.
07:28 PM GMT
Raducanu 6-7 (8-6), 2-4 Muchova*
A big return from Raducanu gives her 0-15.
The Briton is hitting the ball cleanly and she forces Muchova into another error as the Czech slams the ball into the net for 0-30.
A double-fault brings up three break points. She survived a similar scare in the previous set, can she do so again?
She saves the first. Then aces to save the second. Then batters an unreturnable serve to Raducanu’s backhand side to level at deuce.
Well played the Czech.
Muchova hits the line with another big serve to earn game point. Nothing Raducanu could have done there.
Raducanu gets the serve back and Muchova nets for deuce.
A well-worked point from Raducanu sets up the smash as Muchova is stranded behind the baseline but Raducanu hits the bottom of the net.
Muchova booms another serve past Raducanu and that’s an impressive hold from the Czech from 0-40 down.
07:20 PM GMT
Raducanu* 6-7 (8-6), 2-3 Muchova
Raducanu’s serving is looking better this week than last. Noticeable that her second serves have plenty of pace and depth.
Muchova attempts another drop shot but Raducanu shows great pace to get there and take the point.
Muchova then goes wide and Raducanu holds convincingly to 15.
07:17 PM GMT
Raducanu 6-7 (8-6), 1-3 Muchova*
Raducanu wins the first point and then hits a fine return of serve to bring up 0-30.
Muchova is showing great variety with her game throw in one-handed slices and the occasional drop shot.
Another slice gives her a point back and then a rare two-handed backhand and we’re back to 30-30.
That trusty forehand powers past Raducanu and Muchova has the chance to hold. 40-30.
Raducanu hits a brilliant return which Muchova somehow gets back in court but Raducanu, racing to the net hits her drive volley too long! Shame.
07:12 PM GMT
Raducanu* 6-7 (8-6), 1-2 Muchova
Raducanu climbed a mountain in the first set, only to slip at the peak, and now she’s got to climb back up, all over again.
But Raducanu shows plenty of grit and serves better, hitting them line with an ace to hold serve and hang in there.
07:09 PM GMT
Raducanu 6-7 (8-6), 0-2 Muchova*
Muchova holds her serve to love.
07:07 PM GMT
Raducanu* 6-7 (8-6), 0-1 Muchova
Raducanu is struggling to get her first serves and Muchova capitalises.
Her backhand, which has not been working at all, suddenly comes together to produce a sublime shot down the line to give her an early break of serve.
Muchova breaks serve.
07:01 PM GMT
Raducanu 6 Muchova 7 (6-8)
Raducanu goes just long after a barrage of big forehands from Muchova. Set point Muchova on the Raducanu serve 6-7.
The Briton hits a big serve, but Muchova hits the net tape again with her final shot, which hits the line to give her the set.
That’s a gut punch for Raducanu who battled back so bravely in that set.
Muchova wins first set.
06:58 PM GMT
Raducanu 6 Muchova 6 Tie-break: 6-6
Another long rally and Raducanu again goes to Muchova’s backhand. The Czech responds in kind but Raducanu’s is working beautifully and she moves 5-2 up.
Raducanu this time misses her target and hands Muchova the point for 5-3.
And a mishit return by Raducanu brings up 5-4. Still, two serves for the set for Raducanu.
A wonderful, long rally but Raducanu goes a fraction long with her backhand this time and it’s 5-5. Muchova has won three points in a row.
But she goes long with her return. Set point Raducanu on the Muchova serve.
A big serve and blistering forehand makes it 6-6.
06:53 PM GMT
Raducanu 6 Muchova 6 Tie-break: 4-2
Raducanu wins the first point for the mini-break but a glorious drop shot from Muchova makes it 1-1.
A mistake by Raducanu hands Muchova a 2-1 lead and a mini-break.
Ferocious return by Raducanu who attacks the net and forces Muchova into going long. 2-2.
That’s a long, breathless rally and superb defence from Raducanu, who goes to Muchova’s frail backhand and the Czech goes wide to hand Raducanu the mini-break. 3-2.
Raducanu throws in a her baseball shot from the baseline which has Muchova stopping and going long. Daylight for Raducanu. 4-2.
The players change ends.
06:48 PM GMT
Raducanu* 6 Muchova 6 (*denotes server)
Pressure on the Raducanu serve here. which in fairness has been decent since the first couple of service games.
She claims to enjoy the clutch points so lets see how she goes when serving to stay in the set.
Raducanu wins the first point, but nets a regulation backhand, leaning back a touch, for 15-15.
Positive play there from Raducanu who hits two deep approaches and then races to the net inviting Muchova to pass. She tries and misses. 30-15.
Raeducanu takes one hand off the racket on her backhand and the ball drifts wide. 30-30.
Muchova’s return clips the back of the line and suddenly it’s break and set point to Muchova.
A long, breathless rally is concluded with a passing shot that this time is a fraction long from Muchova. Deuce.
Muchova hits a delightful crosscourt forehand winner, in to out, clipping the net on the way, but a fine shot for another set point.
But Raducanu is unfazed and hits a searing backhand crosscourt winner for deuce. Her backhand is purring today.
The longest rally of the day looks as though it’s going Muchova’s way but then Raducanu hits that backhand again and she has game point for a tie-break.
Blistering return for Muchova who hits the line again! Deuce.
Raducanu has only won 30 per cent of her second serve points but she wins this one again with a series of excellent backhands.
But her forehand nets and we are at deuce number four.
This is now comfortably the longest game of the match.
Muchova goes wide with her backhand and Raducanu has another look at game point.
Looks like an ace. But it’s not. Second serve.
But she sends down a big second serve and Muchova’s return nets. Great holds by Raducanu. Tie-break.
06:37 PM GMT
Raducanu 5 Muchova* 6 (*denotes server)
Fantastic return from Raducanu, who is in the zone now. 0-15.
This time she slightly mishits her cross-court backhand into the tramlines. 15-15.
But Muchova commits another unforced error. 15-30.
Great point for the Czech. Powers a serve wide and then sends the next shot in the same place wrong-footing the Briton.
Muchova hits a let cord and the ball just lands on the baseline to earn her the point. 40-30.
Muchova goes for a big forehand across court but narrowly misses the far corner. Deuce.
Muchova gets the luck of the let cord again as the ball plops over on to Raducanu’s side.
The Czech serve-volleys the next point for the game.
06:32 PM GMT
Raducanu* 5 Muchova 5 (*denotes server)
We are back on serve with Raducanu serving to stay in the set.
Raducanu does everything right, goes to the backhand of Muchova, but the Czech sends a glorious lob over the advancing Briton for 0-15.
Another wonderful backhand from Raducanu across court levels at 15-15.
Raducanu is again on the back foot as Muchova throws some more artillery at her but again Muchova charges to the net and goes long for another unforced error. 30-15.
And now Muchova nets a regulation forehand for 40-15.
This match has swung wildly as Raducanu is finding her range while Muchova has started to misfire.
And she goes wide this time to give Raducanu another game.
06:27 PM GMT
Raducanu 4 Muchova 5* (*denotes server)
Fighting tennis there from Raducanu, who, after a long rally, comes to the net to win the point in style.
Another error on the backhand wing from Muchova hands Raducanu the point for 0-30.
Superb point from Raducanu who has her opponent sprawling with a backhand across court which she follows up with a drive volley at the net.
Three break points.
Muchova powers down a brave second serve and finishes with a thunderous forehand to save the first break point.
Great defence from Raducanu, who looks destined to lose the point, but after returning a salvo of fierce forehands is relieved to see Muchova go long.
Raducanu breaks serve.
06:23 PM GMT
Raducanu* 3 Muchova 5 (*denotes server)
Raducanu is serving to stay in the set after having her brief revival thwarted by some assertive tennis from Muchova.
The Briton wins the first point after a long exchange. Raducanu is getting good length on her ground strokes and Muchova goes long for 30-0.
Raducanu’s second ace brings up game point.
But as with her first ace, she follows it up with another double-fault.
Muchova tried to change up the rally with a backhand slice but nets, and Raducanu wins the game.
06:20 PM GMT
Raducanu 2 Muchova 5* (*denotes server)
A long first point is won by Muchova, but Raducanu pins the server back behind the baseline and sends a winner down the line that Muchova can only get a weak racket head to.
Muchova serves well and is quick to the net to power a winner past Raducanu – aggressive tennis there from Muchova.
A kick-serve fools Raducanu and although her opponent returns another howitzer on the next point, Muchova responds with a deft drop shot to win the game.
06:15 PM GMT
Raducanu* 2 Muchova 4 (*denotes server)
Raducanu kicks off with an ace. That’s more like it.
Then double-faults. That’s not.
Muchova is hitting some lovely ground strokes but goes too long and then hits a second serve into the net to gift Raducanu two cheap points.
And Raducanu gets up quickly to a short ball before dispatching it with aplomb two win her second successive point and avoid being broken for the first time.
06:12 PM GMT
Raducanu 1 Muchova* 4 (*denotes server)
And Raducanu gets on the scoreboard.
A couple of blistering returns, an unfoirced error and a lovely pass and everything is well in the world.
Save for the three-game deficit and potential health issues…
Raducanu breaks serve.
06:10 PM GMT
Raducanu 0 Muchova* 4 (*denotes server)
It’s been a worrying start for Raducanu, who was a break down against Karolina Muchova minutes into this encounter when she was unexpectedly reduced to tears on court. She took shelter behind the umpire’s chair, seemingly upset by something – but there are no microphones courtside so it’s difficult to know what the issue might have been.
Her Czech opponent sensed Raducanu’s change in body language and sportingly walked over to console the Briton as she dabbed her eyes with her towel before recomposing herself to continue playing.
06:08 PM GMT
Raducanu* 0 Muchova 4 (*denotes server)
Raducanu could do with a strong service game to get going.
But two unforced errors and another wonderful backhand return puts her 0-40 down.
Raducanu saves two break points as Muchova goes wide and then long.
And the British No 2 sends a regulation backhand into the net. She’s 40-love down.
Muchova breaks serve.
06:03 PM GMT
Raducanu 0 Muchova* 3 (*denotes server)
A fortuitous net cord gives Raducanu the chance to hit a winner down the line and go 30-15 up.
She appears to be breathing quite heavily, reminiscent of her debut at Wimbledon when she had to retire with some sort of anxiety attack.
Lets hope she can keep going.
A first ace from Muchova won’t improve her mood. That brings up game point.
And the Czech hits a glorious backhand winner down the line to move 3-0 up.
Raducanu is slumped in her chair and looking a staring into space as she takes on some water and contemplates her poor start.
05:58 PM GMT
Raducanu* 0 Muchova 2 (*denotes server)
Raducanu looks as though she is going to try to keep Muchova pinned behind the baseline in order to stop the world No 17 from exhibiting her playmaking skills.
She’s struggling to get her serve going at the moment and at 30-30 she lamps a backhand a mile long giving her opponent an early sight of break point.
And after a long rally Raducanu nets a forehand slice from the Czech to hand her opponent the game.
But wait a moment, Raducanu has gone to the umpire’s chair and looks in some distress.
She is in tears. But now she is back out and looks set to continue.
Credit: Sky Sports Tennis
Muchova, one of the kindest players on the tour, apparently, went over to see if she was okay.
Not quite sure what happened there but worrying scenes for Raducanu fans.
Muchova breaks serve.
05:52 PM GMT
Raducanu 0 Muchova 1* (*denotes server)
The first game starts with several long points and Raducanu managing to put pressure on the Muchova serve.
But Muchova holds to 30 after Raducanu nets to gift the last two points to the Czech player.
05:48 PM GMT
We’re under way
The players are back out and the match has started. At last!
05:41 PM GMT
Bizarre scenes in Dubai
Coco Gauff is playing fellow American McCartney Kessler on Court 1 – which is the court adjacent to where Raducanu is scheduled to play Karolina Muchova.
It seems rather strange that Gauff’s match has been allowed to continue but Raducanu is having to wait. No update has been provided as to when play will get underway on Court No 2.
05:26 PM GMT
Warm-up over
Players have finished warming up and and the match was scheduled to get underway. However, another rain shower in Dubai means proceedings on Court No 2 have been delayed.
The umpire is inspecting the court whilst the groundsman are trying to dry the court with towels.
05:21 PM GMT
The players come out in Dubai
Raducanu and Muchova are coming onto the court now.
05:18 PM GMT
Swiatek shows no mercy
Meanwhile, Iga Swiatek secured a commanding victory in the second round at Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championship.
Swiatek, ranked world No 2 defeated Victoria Azarenka with a convincing score of 6-0, 6-2 in just 1 hour and 15 minutes of absolute dominance on her part. Azarenka only managed to capture two games. Swiatek will now face Ukraine’s Dayana Yastremska in the third round.
05:12 PM GMT
Who could Raducanu face in the third round?
If Raducanu wins tonight’s match against Muchova – she could play 2023 US Open champion Coco Gauff in the next round.
05:06 PM GMT
Raducanu coming on shortly
The Anastasia Potapova vs Dayana Yastremska match has concluded with victory for the Ukrainian player 6-2,6-3 which means Raducanu vs Muchova is up next.
05:01 PM GMT
Raducanu’s 2025 results
-
Australian Open – third round
-
WTA Singapore Open – first round
-
WTA Abu Dhabi Open – first round
-
WTA Qatar Open – first round
04:58 PM GMT
What is the British No 2’s current ranking?
Emma Raducanu is ranked No 61 in the world (as of February 17) although it is some way off her career-high ranking of 10, which she held back in July 2022.
04:55 PM GMT
Can Raducanu continue her winning streak?
Good afternoon and welcome to live coverage of Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championship second round match between 2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu and 2023 French Open finalist Karolina Muchova.
Raducanu ended her losing run in style with a straight-sets victory over Greece’s Maria Sakkari in the opening round. The former US Open made the perfect start with a break on serve in the opening game and rounded off a 6-4,6-2 in fine fashion with her third ace of the 90-minute match.
“I just tried to stay really focused on the point in front of me,” Raducanu said. “There were some momentum shifts throughout the match and when I got broken twice early in the sets I just regrouped really well and I managed to break back [immediately] both times.
“I was really pleased with how I fought and competed against Maria, she’s a top player, being as high as three in the world. I’m just really proud of my performance.”
The former US Open champion has failed to capitalise on wildcard entries into tournaments in Doha and Abu Dhabi in the past two weeks, losing in the first round both times to Marketa Vondrousova and Ekaterina Alexandrova respectively.
The 22-year-old remains without a permanent coach since Nick Cavaday quit on health grounds but is accompanied by former childhood coach Jane O’Donoghue in Dubai.
She also has her fitness trainer Yutaka Nakamura, who has been a key factor in the gains she has made on the physical side these past couple of months.
Meanwhile, former French Open finalist Muchova beat qualifier Suzan Lamens in round one – the Czech missed last week’s Qatar Open due to a leg injury. However, Muchova showed no rustiness in dispatching qualifier Lames 6-2,6-2 in one hour and 12 minutes to avoid an early exit and set up a maiden match with Raducanu on the WTA tour.
Can the British No 2 continue her winning streak? Stay with Telegraph Sport to find out.
Source link
Read More
Visit Our Site
Read our previous article: New Cowboys DC Matt Eberflus relishes Dallas return, chance to coach ‘premium pass rusher’ like Micah Parsons