Emma Raducanu has Dubai Championships advantage as Brit learns opponent after draw

Emma Raducanu is set to face Maria Sakkari in the upcoming Dubai Tennis Championships, aiming to end a challenging four-match losing streak. Raducanu, currently ranked world No. 60, has accepted a wildcard entry into this WTA 1000 event, which features the world’s top ten players. Notably, Raducanu has a favorable history against Sakkari, having won both of their previous encounters. Their most recent match was in July 2024 at Wimbledon, where Raducanu secured a decisive 6-2, 6-3 victory over the Greek ninth seed, advancing to the fourth round without dropping a set. 

In preparation for the tournament, Raducanu will be supported by her mentor Jane O’Donoghue and fitness trainer Yutaka Nakamura. However, she is currently without a head coach following Nick Cavaday’s departure last month due to health reasons. Despite recent setbacks, Raducanu’s past successes against Sakkari may boost her confidence as she seeks to regain her form in Dubai.  

But Raducanu will be hopeful of winning for the first time in five matches because she has beaten the 29-year-old in both of their previous meetings. Both occasions came in Grand Slams, with Raducanu winning in the more pressured environment with the eyes of the world watching on.

Their first clash came in the semi-final of the 2021 US Open, where Raducanu achieved a remarkable victory at the age of 18. She won in straight sets, 6-1, 6-4, setting up a final against Leylah Fernandez in New York.

Raducanu did not drop a set throughout the entire tournament, despite starting as a qualifier.

She then faced Sakkari again at Wimbledon last year, winning once more in straight sets. That 6-2, 6-4 victory helped the world No. 60 achieve her best Wimbledon finish, reaching the fourth round.