The WTA Qatar Open is the tournament that kicks off the WTA 1000 tour. All players who are in the main draw count their lucky stars as they aim to compete for the points and the immense prize money. The 2024 comeback star Emma Raducanu will battle Anhelina Kalinina in the first round as both aim to climb the ranking table now.

Both players are in desperate need of a win. They need better momentum to perform better for the rest of the year. Raducanu is aiming for a resurgence at the top of the table, and Kalinina is continuing her goals to climb higher.

Emma Raducanu vs Anhelina Kalinina: Preview

Raducanu had to sit out most of the 2023 season since she was injured on both her wrists and ankles. Recovery took a long time, and she returned to the WTA Tour in 2024. In the ASB Classics, she was ousted in the second round but gave a tough point to her opponent. She then went on to play in the Australian Open and managed to procure her first major win after coming back.

However, a similar fate awaited her in round 2. She followed the tournament with her participation in the Abu Dhabi Open but couldn’t go past Ons Jabeur in round 2. Now, she aims to rectify her stint in the Qatar Open.

Anhelina Kalinina had her best run in the 2023 season. She managed to reach round 3 of the Australian Open for the first time in her career. She also had good performances in Master’s tournaments, reaching her first final in the Italian Open. Kalinina entered the top 25 for the first time and ended the year ranked 27. Coming into 2024, Kalinina started the season in the Adelaide International but lost in the first round.

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In the Australian Open, her result would be worse as she was first breadsticks and then a bagel in the first round of the tournament. Kalinina then played in the Abu Dhabi Open, where she won her first match of 2024, but lost the following clash. Now, in the Qatar Open, she will aim to achieve her second win.

Raducanu vs Kalinina: Head-to-Head

Raducanu and Kalinina have played against each other once. They battled in 2022, and the first set was won by the Ukrainian player resoundingly. Raducanu replied to her opponent in the second set, and the score was 2-6, 6-2. The bout would heat up in the second set, and Kalinina won the clash after breaking the Briton once, ending the match scored 6-2, 2-6, 6-4. 

Prediction: Raducanu to equalize the head-to-head

While both players have not managed to give stellar performances in the last few days, Raducanu is displaying good abilities. She is aiming to perfect her basics and rise to the level of winning a slam once again. At the moment, the Briton has better momentum and has a much better chance of winning their clash and moving forward in the championship.

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