ABU DHABI: Grand Slam-winner Emma Raducanu will play her first match at this year’s Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open presented by Abu Dhabi Sports Council tomorrow, 5th February.

The 21-year-old British star, winner of the 2021 US Open, was paired with the Czech Republic’s Marie Bouzkova in yesterday’s draw, while an exciting line-up of on-court action tomorrow also includes Caroline Garcia versus Sorana Cirstea and Beatriz Haddad Maia against Xiyu Wang.

Four-time Grand Slam-winner Naomi Osaka, meanwhile, will take to the court on 6th February as she begins her Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open journey in both the singles and doubles competitions.

The Japanese former World Number. 1, who returned to action at the start of the year after giving birth last summer, will discover her singles opponent at the culmination of the qualifying rounds later today, where a victory would set up a mammoth clash against World Number. 5 Elena Rybakina on Thursday.

In the doubles, meanwhile, the first-time partnership of Osaka and Ons Jabeur
face Chinese duo Wang and Saisai Zheng in what promises to be an intriguing clash on Tuesday, which will also see the first appearance of talented Filipino star Alex Eala, who takes on Magda Linette.

World Number. 6, Jabeur, will face the winner of Raducanu versus Bouzkova on Wednesday in a hugely anticipated clash as the Tunisian aims to make up for the disappointment of missing last year’s inaugural tournament through injury.

World Number. 9, Maria Sakkari, will also be in action on Wednesday, while 2021 French Open champion Barbora Krejcíková is set to play on Thursday.

The qualifying rounds continue today, with Linda Noskova, Ashlyn Krueger and Diane Parry having already secured their spots in the main draw.

Source: Emirates News Agency