Former US Open champion Emma Raducanu cruised into the second round at the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open with a 6-4 6-1 win over former Wimbledon quarter finalist Marie Bouzkova.
Raducanu received a wild card after missinthe final eight months of the 2023 season. The British player made her come-back in last January’s Australian Swing and won a match at each of the three tournaments she played.
Seven of the first nine games went to the returner. Raducanu held serve with an unreturned forehand to seal the first set 6-4.
Raducanu did not face a break point and broke Bouzkova’s last three service games to close out the second set 6-1.
The British player set up a second round match against Ons Jabeur. Raducanu will meet Jabeur for the first time on the WTA Tour. Raducanu is 0-4 against top 10 players.
“Jabeur is definitely the home favourite here, rightfully so. I really like Ons. She is someone who has taken me under the wing as I have been new to the tour”, said Raducanu.
“Bouzkova was a very difficult opponent. Marie is a really tough to put the ball away against. She makes so many balls, so I am really pleased to come through that. I took a little bit to get adjusted to the speed of her ball and the court and the conditions playing at night, but I am really happy with the way I kind of calibrated”, said Raducanu.
Last year’s Abu Dhabi semifinalist Beatriz Haddad Maia edged past Chinese wild card Wang Xiyu 6-2 7-6 (7-4).
Daria Kasatkina moved past Diane Parry 6-4 5-7 6-2 in 2 hours and 35 minutes.
Sorana Cristea came back from one set down to beat Caroline Garcia 6-7 (4-7) 6-4 6-4 after 2 hours and 40 minutes to set up a second round match against Maria Sakkari.
