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Emma Raducanu’s physical struggles continue in first-round Dubai exit

Published

4 weeks ago

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Emma Raducanu’s difficult run of form and fitness continued as the British No 1 suffered a first-round exit at the Dubai Tennis Championships, her third defeat in a row while struggling physically.

Raducanu called a medical timeout and received treatment after falling to a 6-1 opening set to Croatia’s lucky loser Antonia Ruzic in just 30 minutes, with the 23-year-old also having issues with her serve.

She was seen to by a doctor and, although there was a brief improvement at the start of the second set, and some admirable resilience as Raducanu fought to force the third, Ruzic took control of the decider to win 6-1 5-7 6-2.

Since reaching the final of Transylvania Open in Cluj, Raducanu has struggled physically in each of her subsequent matches and a consecutive first-round exit at a WTA 1000 event is a blow for the world No 25.

In Romania, she lost 6-0 6-2 to Sorana Cristea while bidding for her first title since the US Open in 2021, before retiring from her first-round match at the Qatar Open against Camila Osorio two days later.

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After arriving in Dubai, Raducanu was scheduled to play Elisabetta Cocciaretto before the Italian withdrew due to injury and was replaced by Ruzic, the world No 67.

The Croatian, who almost beat Naomi Osaka in the first round of the Australian Open last month but had lost in the first round of qualifying in Dubai, started the match the stronger player while Raducanu looked out of sorts.

Raducanu appeared out of sorts as she suffered her second first-round defeat in a row

Raducanu appeared out of sorts as she suffered her second first-round defeat in a row (REUTERS)

The Briton could be seen practicing her serve in an extended warm-up before the start of the match, and made four double faults in the opening set while winning less than 50 per cent of her service points.

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After the timeout, Raducanu had five break points chances in Ruzic’s first service game, and then another in her second, but the Croatian saved them all before breaking to lead 4-3.

Although Raducanu’s serve continued to be vulnerable, she saved a match point before managing to break back while Ruzic served for the match at 5-4.

Raducanu dug in to save match point and was a break up in the third but then faded as Ruzic won the final six games

Raducanu dug in to save match point and was a break up in the third but then faded as Ruzic won the final six games (REUTERS)

Enjoying her best spell of the match, Raducanu broke Ruzic to win the third set and then again to lead the decider. But as Raducanu faded, Ruzic won the final six games in a row to seal victory in two hours and 20 minutes.

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Raducanu was making her first appearance at the Dubai tournament since she was the target of “fixated” behaviour from a man during her second-round match against Karolina Muchova last year.

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Sports

“Only Guardiola ranks higher” – Jamie Carragher tells Manchester United to appoint ex-Arsenal coach to replace Carrick and revive club

Published

11 minutes ago

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15 March 2026

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Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has urged Manchester United to appoint Unai Emery as the next manager at the club. He believes that the Aston Villa coach is the ideal candidate to replace Michael Carrick in the summer.

Writing in his The Telegraph column, Carragher hailed Emery as an underrated manager, adding that he might not even make the list at Manchester United. He added that the Spaniard not making the list at Old Trafford is good news for Aston Villa and said:

“Unai Emery should be heading to Old Trafford this weekend as the frontrunner to become the next Manchester United manager. I suspect he does not rank high among the candidates. That is good news for Aston Villa, but it must be frustrating for one of the best, and still most underrated, coaches in Europe.”

Ranking Emery as the second-best manager in the league, Carragher said the former Arsenal coach can win trophies and comes with a clear vision for the club and his squad.

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“For Emery not to be under serious consideration says plenty about modern football. By any metric, he would be the perfect coach to revive United. For me, only Pep Guardiola ranks higher of those currently managing in England. Here is a manager who wins trophies, has a clear football vision, a track record of revitalising clubs in need of a mini-revolution to break into the Champions League, and who demands respect while leading with authority.”

Carragher went on to add that Emery now has enough Premier League experience under his belt and wrote:

“Add the fact he is now proven in the Premier League, and such coaches are in short supply. Emery is not part of the conversation but he should be. The puzzling question is why? Sadly for Emery, and happily for Villa, the Spaniard is painted as an overachiever at clubs trying to challenge the elite, and an underachiever at those who consider themselves already part of it.”

Unai Emery has a contract with Aston Villa until 2029, having signed an extension in 2024.

Michael Carrick has a short-term deal at Manchester United

Michael Carrick was appointed at Manchester United in January, soon after the sacking of Ruben Amorim. The Englishman has done well at the club, winning six and losing one in the Premier League.

However, club legend Roy Keane, Paul Scholes and Gary Neville are against the idea of Carrick getting the job permanently this summer. They want a more experienced manager to take over at Old Trafford.

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Thomas Tuchel, Mauricio Pochettino, and Julian Nagelsmann have been linked with the Manchester United job.