Emma Raducanu has crashed out of the first round of the Abu Dhabi Open in a straight sets defeat to former Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova.
The 6-3, 6-4 defeat means Raducanu has suffered a second consecutive first-round exit on the WTA Tour after losing out in the Singapore Open last week.
It comes after her coach Nick Cavaday stepped down in late Janaury to focus on his health, leaving her searching for a seventh instructor of her young career.
Raducanu got off to a flyer against 2023 Wimbledon ace Vondrousova, breaking the Czech star to go 3-1 up.
But from there she lost five straight games to blow the first set.
The second set was closer but Vondrousova came through after winning a prolonged deuce at 3-3, going on to seal her progression.
Emma Raducanu has crashed out of the Abu Dhabi Open in the first round – like she did at the Singapore Open last week
The 22-year-old lost 6-3, 6-4 to former Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova
Vondrousova took a critical, prolonged deuce at 3-3 in the second set before going on to win
Raducanu had been given wildcard entry to the tournament in the United Arab Emirates due to withdrawals by other players.
The disappointment follows a largely positive January on the court which saw the 22-year-old reach the third round of the Australian Open before being bested by world No 2 Iga Swiatek.
Raducanu had already fought past Ekaterina Alexandrova and Amanda Anisimove in straight sets to reach that stage but was beaten 6-1, 6-0 by the five-time grand Slam champion.
But January was also a difficult month as Raducanu had to bid farewell to coach Cavaday, who had brought a period of stability to her career.
‘I’d like to thank Nick for a great partnership over the last year and a bit, especially being post-surgeries he helped get me back inside the world’s top 60,’ said Raducanu, 22. ‘I wish him all the best in his next chapter and no doubt we’ll stay in touch.’
Cavaday has struggled with his health recently, missing a few tournaments as a result, and he said: ‘I am very happy to have been able to work with Emma over the last 14 months.
‘At this moment in time, it’s important for me to spend some more time at home and prioritise getting back to full health which is hard to do with the extensive calendar.
‘I am glad Emma is back to being established on tour now with a ranking inside the top 60 and I look forward to seeing what she does from here.’
It is unfortunate timing for Raducanu, just as she was beginning to establish a trusted team around her. Fitness trainer Yutaka Nakamura joined at the end of last year.
