An emotional Emma Raducanu battled back tears as she was eliminated by Karolina Muchova in the second round at the Dubai Tennis Championships. (More Tennis News)
Raducanu was trailing 2-0 in the opening set, which 🌃was delayed by rain at t♑he start of the match, before approaching the umpire's chair looking visibly upset.
Muchova seemed to console he♐r opponent before the 2021 US Open champion fell 4-0 down after that brief interval, though Raducanu fought back to send the first set to a tꦕie-break decider.
The 22-year-old managed to force an opportunity with a set point but coul🦋d not take the chance before Muchova prevailed 7-6 (8-6) 6-4 in Tuesday's clash.
Muchova, a runner-up at the 2023 French Open, struggled on her backhand througho☂ut but found joy on the other side, following up with some impressive serving when it mattered.
Her reward will be a last-16 clash wi𒅌t🐽h the McCartney Kessler, who had earlier dumped out world number three Coco Gauff.
Data Debrief: Muchova's WTA-1000 joy continues
Raducan🍌u will be downbeat after an emotional defeat, despite edging the 14th seed on points, winning 79-78 – but it was the games that counted for Muchova.
It was always go🎐ing to prove to be a tough task for Raducanu, considering🔥 Muchova's recent success in these events.
Muchova (70.2%, 40-17) holds the best winning🎐 percentage at the WTA 1000 tournaments of any player not to have won such an event, since the format's introduction in 2009.
