Antonia Ruzic's Stunning Upset: From Lucky Loser to Dubai Triumph

Croatian tennis player Antonia Ruzic, ranked 67th, seized an unexpected opportunity at the Dubai Tennis Championships after top players withdrew. Initially defeated in the qualifiers, Ruzic capitalized on her chance in the main draw, defeating Grand Slam winner Emma Raducanu for her first career top 30 win.

Antonia Ruzic, a Croatian tennis player ranked 67th in the world, made headlines at the Dubai Tennis Championships. Originally knocked out in the early qualifying round, Ruzic remained on site, leading to an unexpected opportunity when several top players withdrew from the tournament.

Ruzic, known as a 'lucky loser,' was able to enter the main draw, facing off against 2021 U.S. Open champion Emma Raducanu. She emerged victorious with a scoreline of 6-1, 5-7, 6-2, marking her first career win over a top 30 player.

The victory was bittersweet for Raducanu, whose struggle with health issues continued in Dubai. Despite her recent appearance in the Transylvania Open final, her Middle East campaign ended with her match against Ruzic, where she faced physical challenges on the court.

(With inputs from agencies.)