Emma Raducanu was 'really proud' to come through a tricky match against Maria Sakkari in Dubai and feels confident that better times are ahead.
The British No 2 entered 2025 with renewed optimism about finding top form and challenging with the very best.
A career-best run to the third round of the Australian Open was a good starting point, but the end of the tournament saw her coach Nick Cavaday step down due to health problems.
Cavaday's had been Raducanu's longest-serving coach and the 22-year-old was in high spirits about their partnership.
Emma Raducanu ended her losing streak against Maria Sakkari
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Raducanu went on to lose in the first round of three consecutive tournaments as she was unable to find a permanent replacement for Cavaday.
But that run of losses ended on Sunday with an impressive straight-sets win over former world No 3 Sakkari.
Playing as many tournaments as possible has been a different approach to the one Raducanu took last year, where she chose to largely focus on practicing.
After going through a spell of poor results, questions were being asked on whether Raducanu needed to step back.
But the 2021 US Open champion is happy to have persevered and feels she is now reaping the rewards.
“I’m just really proud I’ve stuck it out and come through that match against a really tough opponent,” she said.
“I had to play really good tennis to beat her.
“That’s one thing that I’m improving, my athleticism. The work is paying off on that side of it.
Emma Raducanu is hoping to find some momentum
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"I’m looking forward to the tennis side also coming together and then I feel like I’m building a good big picture.”
Raducanu faces a tougher test in the second round of the Dubai Tennis Championships against No 14 seed Karolina Muchova.
The former world No 8 reached the final of the French Open in 2023 and has been on the comeback after undergoing wrist surgery last year.
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Emma Raducanu is through to the second round in Dubai
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A win for Raducanu could potentially see her face off against world No 3 Coco Gauff in the third round.
It would also see her climb further up the rankings, just outside the world's top 50.
