Emma Raducanu’s opponent was left eating her words after press conference comment Blog By celebrityinfo.online Last updated Jul 29, 2025 0 Share - Advertisement - Raducanu Set for Dubai Showdown Against Familiar Foe Sakkari Emma Raducanu will face Maria Sakkari in the round of 64 at the Dubai Tennis Championships on Sunday, renewing a rivalry that has seen them clash on several big stages. - Advertisement - The two previously met at Wimbledon last summer, where Sakkari—then ranked world No. 9—made sure to remind everyone of her top-10 status ahead of their third-round encounter. - Advertisement - “I think the opportunity is for both. She’s also playing a top-10 player—let’s not forget that,” Sakkari told reporters before the match. “She’s an unbelievable player, very talented, very promising. Even after winning a Grand Slam, she’s still very young. Obviously, she’s going to be the favorite because she’ll be playing at home, but I’m excited. That’s why we play tennis—for these challenges.” Raducanu, however, was unfazed by the occasion or the opponent, dispatching Sakkari 6-2, 6-3 in just 92 minutes on Centre Court. Her Wimbledon run ended in the next round after a tough three-set loss to Lulu Sun, but the victory over Sakkari was another statement win for the Brit. - Advertisement - As they prepare to meet again in Dubai, Raducanu enters the match ranked No. 60 in the WTA standings, boasting a career record of 121 wins and 65 losses. Though the 2024 Wimbledon title eluded her, she still holds an achievement Sakkari has yet to attain—a Grand Slam singles title. Raducanu famously swept past Sakkari in the 2021 US Open semifinals before defeating Leylah Fernandez to claim her first and only major trophy. However, the 22-year-old is still searching for her first title of the 2025 season. Her recent form has been inconsistent, with a third-round Australian Open exit at the hands of Iga Swiatek, a round-of-32 loss to Marketa Vondrousova in Abu Dhabi, and an early defeat to Ekaterina Alexandrova in Qatar. - Advertisement - Sakkari, now ranked No. 29, is also looking to rebound from a slow start to 2025. With two career titles—the 2019 Morocco Open and the 2023 Guadalajara Open—she hopes to turn things around after a quarter-final loss to Dayana Yastremska at the Linz Open in January. Both players will be eager to gain momentum in Dubai, making for an intriguing showdown in the opening round. - Advertisement - 0 Share FacebookTwitterGoogle+ReddItWhatsAppPinterestEmail
