In the initial round of the Qatar Open, Emma Raducanu, although putting up a strong fight in the second set, was unable to secure an anticipated victory against Anhelina Kalinina. This marks the first instance since her return from injury that Raducanu has been eliminated in the opening round of a tournament, after a slow start and a fierce battle in the second set.
The 21-year-old British player exhibited great determination, managing to save two match points against Kalinina, who has now emerged victorious in both of their encounters on the WTA Tour. However, Raducanu’s efforts were insufficient to secure a win, as she narrowly missed out on a set point in the tie-break, eventually losing 8-6.
Kalinina, presently ranked as world No 30, will now proceed to the second round to face eighth seed Jelena Ostapenko in Doha. Raducanu’s unforeseen exit from the tournament comes after a series of stellar performances since her comeback in January, following an eight-month hiatus due to injury.
In further tennis news, Sky Sports has introduced an exciting development for tennis fans in the UK and Ireland. The launch of Sky Sports Tennis on Sky and NOW will provide comprehensive coverage of tennis events, incorporating over 4,000 matches from more than 80 tournaments on the ATP and WTA Tours. This encompasses exclusive live coverage of the US Open, solidifying Sky Sports as the primary destination for live tennis action.
Subscribers will have access to live matches on the Sky Sports Tennis, Sky Sports Arena, and Sky Sports Mix channels, while non-subscribers will be able to stream matches through a NOW Sports Day and Month Membership. Additionally, fans can stay updated on their favourite players and gain deeper insights from both Tours through Sky Sports News, the Sky Sports app, SkySports.com, and Sky Sports’ social media channels, providing a more immersive experience for tennis enthusiasts.
As an added bonus, fans can now receive real-time updates, breaking news, in-depth features, and videos from a dedicated WhatsApp channel, ensuring that they are always in the loop with the latest tennis events.
Tennis enthusiasts can anticipate an action-packed year ahead, with the WTA and ATP Tours set to be showcased on Sky Sports Tennis throughout 2024. For those eager to catch all the tennis action and more, a NOW Sports Month Membership offers the perfect solution.
Overall, while Raducanu’s early exit from the Qatar Open may have come as a disappointment, the future looks bright for tennis enthusiasts, with Sky Sports’ comprehensive coverage providing an exciting platform to indulge in the sport and stay connected with the latest developments.