Raducanu ends worst career run with Sakkari triumph

Raducanu entered Sunday's tournament opener having lost four straight matches, but she threw the form book out of the window with a clinical 6-4 6-2 victory.

Raducanu needed just one hour and 20 minutes to see off the world number 29, who she had previously beaten in the semi-finals on her way to winning the 2021 US Open, and in a last-32 clash at Wimbledon last year.

Sakkari started both sets by dropping her serve, only to hit back on both occasions. However, Raducanu came out on top in a contest dominated by the return game, hitting 16 winners to just 12 unforced errors.

Raducanu converted five of seven break points throughout the match, also producing a highlight-reel passing shot when chasing down one cheeky drop shot from Sakkari.

The 22-year-old, who will face Karolina Muchova next, said in her courtside interview: "There were some momentum shifts throughout the match.

breaking news: @EmmaRaducanu is a night owl #DDFTennis pic.twitter.com/3nbqbz8CpK

— wta (@WTA) February 16, 2025

"I was really pleased with the way I fought and competed against Maria. She is a top player and has been as high as three in the world. I'm really proud of my performance."

Meanwhile, ninth seed Paula Badosa beat New Zealand's Lulu Sun 6-3 6-4 to reach the second round, while Sofia Kenin advanced with a hard-fought 7-5 6-3 win over Donna Vekic.

Former Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova eliminated Caroline Garcia with a 6-2 6-2 triumph, while 15th seed Anna Kalinskaya went down 6-1 6-2 to Elina Svitolina.

3 - Only against Simona Halep (6-1 6-1) at Toronto 2017 has Elina Svitolina dropped fewer games in her career against top-20 than against Anna Kalinskaya at Dubai 2025 (6-1 6-2). Quick.#DDFTennis | @DDFTennis @WTA @WTA_insider pic.twitter.com/r1FArrKv4g

— OptaAce (@OptaAce) February 16, 2025

Not only is Raducanu now 3-0 in head-to-head meetings with Sakkari, but she has also won each of those matches in straight sets.