Emma Raducanu ended the worst losing run of her career with a straight-sets victory over Maria Sakkari in the first round of the Dubai Tennis Championships. (More Tennis News)
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.
"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.
Data Debrief: Raducanu dominates Sakkari again
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.
Facing 14th seed Muchova in round two, Raducanu will target her first win over a top-20 ranked player since Wimbledon last year, when she overcame Sakkari.
