Emma Raducano: The British woman who defeated the lucky loser in the first round of the Dubai Tennis Championship

British player Emma Raducano, ranked number one in the world, was eliminated from the Dubai Tennis Championships in the first round.

She recovered from a set and a break of serve against Antonia Rozic to impose a deciding set, but the Croatian player prevailed and won 6-1, 5-7, 6-2.

Rozic is ranked 67th in the world and was one of seven lucky losers to qualify to fill the main draw after several players withdrew due to injury, illness or schedule changes.

Raducano’s opponent, Elisabetta Cocchiarito, was ruled out due to a hip problem, and Ruzic won the first set in 30 minutes after breaking Raducano’s serve twice.

The world number 25 then requested medical attention, just as she did last week at the Qatar Open when she was forced to withdraw from her first-round match.

Despite trailing 5-3 after another break in the second set, Raducano fought back to take two straight breaks and take a one-set win.

The Briton won six straight games at the end of the second set and the beginning of the third to take a 2-0 lead in the deciding set, but Rozic won the next six to seal the win.