Emma Raducanu is set to begin her campaign at the Dubai Tennis Championships with a first-round match against Italy’s Elisabetta Cocciaretto on Monday. After a brief hiatus due to illness, which disrupted her participation in the Qatar Open, Raducanu is looking to bounce back strongly.
The 23-year-old British player had a challenging start to the season, marked by a heavy defeat to Sorana Cirstea in the finals of the Transylvania Open. Despite these setbacks, Raducanu’s impressive run in Romania pushed her into the WTA top 25, providing fresh hope for a pivotal season in 2026. Her quest for success continues after taking a week off to recover, as she gears up for the Dubai event.
Last year, Raducanu faced disappointment in Dubai after a promising start, where she initially defeated Maria Sakkari before being eliminated by Karolina Muchova, a match overshadowed by a disturbing incident involving a spectator. This year, Raducanu’s focus is entirely on her performance on the court, hoping to shake off past distractions.
Cocciaretto, ranked 32 places lower than Raducanu, has proven her mettle by advancing through two challenging qualifying rounds. The 25-year-old Italian displayed resilience, turning around a first-set loss to Vekic and saving three match points against Zakharova to secure her place in the main draw. Cocciaretto brings a wealth of experience, including a recent victory at the Hobart International and a strong performance at the Qatar Open where she upset Coco Gauff.
Monday’s match will mark the first-ever meeting between Raducanu and Cocciaretto on the WTA Tour. Stats indicate that Cocciaretto has a slight edge in serving, yet Raducanu has been better at converting break points this season. Analysts predict a closely contested match, but if Raducanu has fully recuperated, her ability to seize opportunities could lead her to victory.
As anticipation builds for this matchup, Raducanu’s return to form presents an exciting prospect, setting the stage for a competitive tournament and highlighting her determination to thrive after overcoming recent challenges.