Emma Raducanu has been upgraded from qualifying to the main draw at the Abu Dhabi Open, where she will face 2023 Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova in the first round.
The 22-year-old British player had initially been set to compete in qualifying rounds for the first time since her 2021 US Open triumph.
Both players enter the tournament as wildcards, with Vondrousova currently ranked world No 36.
The tournament, which begins on Monday, marks Raducanu’s swift return to action following her first-round exit at the Singapore Open earlier this week.
Emma Raducanu is through to the main draw
PA
Raducanu and Vondrousova have faced each other twice before, with honours even in their previous encounters.
The British player famously defeated Vondrousova during her breakthrough run at Wimbledon 2021, when Raducanu was an 18-year-old wildcard making her full debut at the All England Club.
Their most recent meeting came in 2022, where the Czech player emerged victorious during their Billie Jean Cup clash.
Vondrousova has since achieved significant success, becoming the first unseeded player to win the women’s singles title at Wimbledon in 2023.
Raducanu enters the Abu Dhabi tournament following a first-round defeat to world No 101 Cristina Bucsa at the Singapore Open.
Emma Raducanu is looking to put together a run of results
GETTY
Earlier this year, she showed promising form at the Australian Open, reaching the third round.
However, her Melbourne campaign ended with a decisive 6-1, 6-0 loss to world No 2 Iga Swiatek.
This Abu Dhabi appearance will mark Raducanu’s third tournament of 2025.
The British player is familiar with the Abu Dhabi Open, having reached the second round at last year’s event.
The Abu Dhabi Open field features defending champion Elena Rybakina, the world No 5, who receives a first-round bye.
Semi-finalist in Melbourne Paula Badosa also advances directly to round two, with these matches scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday.
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Marketa Vondrousova will face Emma Raducanu
REUTERS
British interest in qualifying continues through Sonay Kartal, who overcame France’s Chloe Paquet 6-4, 2-6, 3-6 in the first qualifying round.
Kartal, the British No 3 and world No 90, faces Japan’s Moyuka Uchijima on Sunday for a main draw spot.
However, Heather Watson’s qualifying campaign ended with a 6-4, 6-3 defeat to American Katie Volynets.