Emma Raducanu’s battling display was not enough as she suffered a straight-sets defeat to Ons Jabeur in the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open last 16 on Wednesday.
The former US Open champion found herself three games down in the first set, but mounted a fightback before her Tunisian opponent closed it out on her fifth attempt at set point.
Two-time Wimbledon finalist Jabeur stepped on the gas in the second set though, with the Briton taking just one more game as she suffered a 6-4 6-1 loss.
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Jabeur was in confident mood – but completely fluffed a spectacular behind-the-back trick shot during her win over Raducanu
“She didn’t make it easy for me obviously,” Jabeur said following her win over Raducanu.
“Emma is such an amazing player. I really wish her all the best and I know she can play much better.
“I’m a big fan of hers so I’m looking forward to seeing her win more matches.”
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Emma Raducanu was beaten by Ons Jabeur in Abu Dhabi
Jabeur now faces Brazil’s Beatriz Haddad Maia, who outlasted Magda Linette in their marathon clash, in the quarter-finals live on Sky Sports.
Raducanu dropped serve in the first game of the match and was soon a double break down at 5-1, but gradually began to remind everyone of just how cleanly she strikes a ball at her best.
She saved three set points before breaking Jabeur’s serve to trail 5-3, and then a gritty hold brought her to within one game.
However, Jabeur comprehensively held serve in the next to take the first set in 50 minutes. The second seed then converted a third break point to take the initiative at the start of second set.
This time Raducanu, who last reached a quarter-final in September 2022, had no answer to the flurry of winners – Jabeur hit 35 in all – as she bowed out.
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Ons Jabeur proved too strong for Raducanu
“I try to show the best of me on and off the court,” Jabeur said. “I come from a very small country that has a lot of potential.
“I’m very proud to be a Tunisian and an Arab woman to show nothing is impossible.”
Jabeur’s quarter-final opponent Haddad Maia was involved in match with Linette which lasted nearly four hours, with the No 6 seed eventually prevailing 6-7 (3), 6-3, 7-5.
Also through to the quarter-finals is seventh seed Daria Kasatkina, who beat qualifier Ashlyn Krueger in straight sets 6-3 7-5 in Wednesday’s early game.
Kasatkina faces Romania’s Sorana Cirstea, who reached her first quarter-final of the season with a 6-2 6-1 upset of No 3 seed Maria Sakkari.
Raducanu: A match I just need to forget
“It was a tough match,” said Raducanu. “Ons is a difficult opponent so credit to her, she played really well and it’s just a match that personally I need to forget about.
“She’s a great opponent, she has amazing hand skills, makes life really hard for you on the court and especially with the balls which are really heavy. Her defensive skills are great and I think that’s something I can improve on too.”
Raducanu added that she hopes to play at the Qatar Open in Doha next week.
Jabeur, 29, said in her on-court interview. “She didn’t make it easy for me, obviously.
“Emma is such an amazing player, I wish her all the best because I know she can play much better. I am a big fan of hers.
“Emma had an amazing experience at the US Open and everybody followed her. She’s had an amazing career.
“Everyone has a different story, we struggle a lot, we go through a lot of things. But a lot of amazing women play on the tour.”
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