News
Prediction
Fixtures
Anhelina Kalinina defeats Emma Raducanu in the Qatar Open preliminary round
Emma Raducanu, the 21-year-old British tennis sensation, faced a challenging start to her campaign at the Qatar Open as she suffered a disappointing defeat in the first round against Anhelina Kalinina, a 27-year-old Ukrainian player. Despite her young age, Raducanu has quickly risen to prominence in the tennis world, capturing attention with her remarkable performance at the 2021 US Open where she clinched the title as an unseeded player.
Tennis Full Results | Schedule
In her match against Kalinina, Raducanu struggled to find her footing from the outset, particularly in the first set where she managed to win only 10 points. The quick defeat in the opening set underscored the difficulties Raducanu faced in adapting to the match conditions and her opponent’s playing style. While she showed signs of improvement in the second set, Raducanu was unable to mount a comeback, eventually losing in a closely contested tie-break.
Following the match, Raducanu expressed her frustrations with her performance, citing challenges with various aspects of her game, including her serve, return, and groundstrokes. She attributed part of her struggle to the unfamiliarity of playing a day match, highlighting the differences in playing conditions compared to her usual schedule. Additionally, Raducanu noted the impact of outdoor conditions such as light, shadows, and other environmental factors on her ability to see the ball clearly and make effective shot selections.
The defeat at the Qatar Open marked a setback for Raducanu, who had been aiming to build on her success from previous tournaments. Despite the disappointment, Raducanu remains determined to learn from the experience and continue her development as a professional tennis player. With her talent and potential, Raducanu is expected to bounce back strongly and showcase her skills in future competitions.
Meanwhile, Kalinina’s victory over Raducanu represented a significant milestone for the Ukrainian player, who has been striving to make her mark on the international tennis circuit. The win against a higher-ranked opponent will undoubtedly boost Kalinina’s confidence and provide momentum as she progresses through the tournament. With a challenging match against eighth seed Jelena Ostapenko awaiting her in the second round, Kalinina will be looking to maintain her momentum and secure another impressive victory.
