Emma Raducanu v Ons Jabeur LIVE: Score and updates from Abu Dhabi Open clash
Raducanu faces Jabeur in the last 16 as she continues her injury comeback
Emma Raducanu takes on Ons Jabeur at the Abu Dhabi Open this afternoon with a place in the quarter-finals up for grabs.
Raducanu advanced to the last 16 as she breezed past world No 26 Marie Bouzkova 6-4 6-1 on Monday, winning 10 of her final 11 games to book a meeting with three-time grand slam finalist Jabeur, the tournament’s second seed.
Former US Open champion Raducanu is playing in just her third tournament in eight months, having compiled a 3-2 record since returning from multiple wrist and ankle surgeries at the start of the season.
The 21-year-old fell at the second hurdle at both the Auckland International and the Australian Open, where she battled a stomach bug in her three-set defeat to Wafan Wang.
Follow all the action from the last-16 clash below:
Emma Raducanu’s Abu Dhabi run ended by Wimbledon runner-up Ons Jabeur
Here is the match report:
Emma Raducanu’s bid to reach the last eight of the Abu Dhabi Open was ended in straight sets by world number six Ons Jabeur.
Britain’s Raducanu has been making encouraging strides on her comeback after eight months out following surgery on her wrists and ankle.
The 21-year-old briefly pushed three-time grand slam finalist Jabeur in a close opening set.
But Tunisian Jabeur, the runner-up at Wimbledon in the previous two years, was ultimately too strong in a 6-4 6-1 victory.
Emma Raducanu’s Abu Dhabi run ended by Wimbledon runner-up Ons Jabeur
Raducanu suffered a straight-sets defeat against the second seed in their last-16 clash.
Jabeur wins in straight sets!
Jabeur on the future of women’s tennis: “Emma had an amazing experience in the US Open and everybody I think followed her and she has had an amazing career.
“Everybody has had a different story but we struggle a lot, we go through a lot of things, but we try to make it here.
“I’m so proud to be part of the WTA, a lot of amazing women play on tour and I wish to see more of you guys (fans) come and support us.”
Jabeur wins in straight sets!
Ons Jabeur said on court after the game: “I don’t think I can speak, but I want to thank everyone, especially people from Tunisia for coming to support me.
“And hopefully we can see more of you after tomorrow. I’m counting on you.”
On Raducanu, Jabeur said: “She didn’t make it easy for me obviously, Emma is such an amazing player, I really wish her all the best and I know she can play much better.
“I am a big fan of hers so I’m looking forward to seeing her win more matches - not against me - but against other players.”
Jabeur wins in straight sets! Raducanu 1-6, 4-6 Jabeur
Jabeur wins the first points of Raducanu’s match, but a strong serve and missed return takes the score to 15-15.
Ouch! Jabeur was almost in the splits there as she slipped trying a backhand! She seems to be okay though, and sets up a match point with a good forehand past Raducanu.
Can the Brit fight back? No, Jabeur wraps it up with a deep forehand.
Raducanu 1-5, 4-6, Jabeur
Raducanu was down in the opening set, and again took the first points to make it 0-15, but Jabeur hit back almost straight away.
What a clever shot! A sliced backhand cross court almost at the net gives Jabeur a 30-15 lead.
She gets another one! This time the net had a big helping hand, but the score moves to 40-15.
Jabeur tries a trick behind the back shot, and could this be a way back into it from Raducanu? An ace finishes off the game.
Raducanu 1-4, 4-6, Jabeur
Jabeur misses a backhand, and Raducanu takes a 30-15 lead, but her chance to pull ahead is reduced when a backhand goes long.
Jabeur has another break point, capitalising on a Raducanu missed backhand, and another break to Jabeur when another shot goes out.
Raducanu 1-3, 4-6 Jabeur
Despite Raducanu winning the first points, Jabeur has found her footing to take the game to 15, and take a decisive lead in the second set.
Raducanu 1-2, 4-6 Jabeur
Raducanu is moving well around the court, and scrambles well after a ball with a backhand volley to keep herself in the point at 15-15.
Another missed slice and Raducanu goes ahead at 30-15, however a wild forehand makes it level and a sliced drop shot does give Jabeur break point.
Raducanu lands a passing shot well to take it to deuce, and another clean strike gives her the advantage, but Jabeur pulls it back for another deuce, and another pin-point shot gives the Tunisian the advantage and a break point.
But another miss, means another deuce, but Jabeur does not relent, setting up a third break point with a well-timed forehand, and she takes the game when Raducanu hits the ball into the net.
Raducanu 1-1, 4-6, Jabeur
Jabeur has missed her slice, Raducanu goes ahead at 0-15, but a wild attempted lob just provides a smash which is dutifully put away by the Tunisian.
Raducanu had a chance at 15-30, but she hit the attempted passing shot into the net.
After taking the lead at 40-30, Jabeur holds easily.
Raducanu 1-0, 4-6 Jabeur
Jabeur has started the second in the same way she finished the first, volleying her way into a 0-30 lead in the first game of the second.
Raducanu pulls a point back to make it 15-30, and Jabeur finds the net again at 30-30.
The British player fights her way back into it to take the game.
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