Emma Raducanu vs Ekaterina Alexandrova: score and latest from Qatar Open Emma Raducanu’s miserable coachless run continued as she lost in straight sets to Ekaterina Alexandrova, the same Russian she had defeated in the opening round of last month’s Australian Open.
Cavaday’s absence has clearly had a destabilising effect, yet Raducanu’s sequence of powerful opponents – last week it was former Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova; this week Alexandrova, who was coming off a WTA title in Linz – means that she isn’t getting the volume of match-play she is looking for either.
The Russian dominates the next rally and Raducanu offers some good defence only to overhit her approach shot to hand Alexandrova another match point.
A long rally of deep shots and good variety by Raducanu is spoilt by a lucky net cord from Alexandrova that leads to the Briton finding the net.
The quality of the tennis is much-improved and Alexandrova is in the zone now, melting a huge crosscourt pass to break Raducanu at a crucial moment in the match.
