Emma Raducanu demonstrated promise before being defeated by Ons Jabeur in the second round of the Abu Dhabi
Open.
The former US Open champion defeated world No. 26 Marie Bouzkova in the opening round of her third competition
after missing nine months due to wrist and ankle ailments. But No. 2 seed and two-time Wimbledon finalist Jabeur
dominated, winning 6-4, 6-1 with 35 winners and only 11 unforced errors.
However, her 21-year-old opponent rallied from 5-1 down in the opening set, saving four set points, and her
backhand remains a potent weapon.
After the fairytale of New York, the frenzy of transitioning from A Level student to full-time WTA pro, and the
seemingly unavoidable injuries that followed, Raducanu’s career appears to be entering its second chapter.
Here’s hoping her personal and the British public’s expectations are moderated and she is given the opportunity to
find her game through a more traditional career path.
Raducanu led 40-15 in the first game of the match but was pulled back to deuce after missing two straightforward
put-aways, and he conceded the break with a big double fault.
Unfortunately for the British player, the game ultimately determined the outcome of a 6-4 first set.
Jabeur is famed for her magic box of drop shots and slices, but it was the flat strength of her slapped forehand that
caused the majority of the damage.
‘She didn’t make it easy for me,’ the 29-year-old Tunisian admitted after the game. “I’m a huge fan of Emma, and I
know she can play better.”
Raducanu has now lost in the second round of five of her previous eight competitions. Though they are at opposing
ends of their careers, she and Andy Murray have struggled to put together results in recent years.
