Emma Raducanu vs. Ekaterina Alexandrova: Can Raducanu Pull Off an Upset in Doha?
Emma Raducanu’s wildcard entry into the Qatar Open 2025 has sparked debate among fans. While some believe she should have opted for a smaller tournament to rebuild confidence, she now faces a tough first-round challenge against Russia’s Ekaterina Alexandrova, who enters the match in red-hot form.
Raducanu’s 2025 Struggles and H2H Advantage
Raducanu hasn’t had the best start to her 2025 season. Her most recent outing at the Abu Dhabi Open ended in a round of 32 loss to Marketa Vondrousova. However, despite her struggles, she holds a 1-0 head-to-head record over Alexandrova, having defeated her in the first round of the Australian Open in a pair of tight tiebreaks:
2025 Australian Open R128: Raducanu 7-6(4), 7-6(2)
This suggests she has the tools to counter Alexandrova’s power game, but will form be the deciding factor this time?
Ekaterina Alexandrova’s Strong Momentum
Unlike Raducanu, Alexandrova is coming into this match with momentum on her side. She recently won the 2025 Linz Open, defeating Dayana Yastremska in a grueling three-set final. While her Australian swing was underwhelming, her Linz triumph suggests she’s finding her best level again.
Alexandrova’s game is built around powerful serves and aggressive groundstrokes, especially from the baseline. She has a strong ability to dictate rallies with her offensive style, something Raducanu will need to neutralize.
Keys to Victory for Raducanu
For Raducanu to win, she must:
1. Use her movement and defensive skills – Alexandrova thrives on dictating play, so Raducanu must extend rallies and force errors.
2. Exploit Alexandrova’s inconsistency – Despite her big-hitting ability, Alexandrova can be error-prone, particularly when rushed into defensive positions.
3. Be aggressive on return – Raducanu is one of the best returners in the women’s game. If she can put pressure on Alexandrova’s serve, she’ll create break opportunities.
4. Vary her shots – Mixing in slices, drop shots, and angles could disrupt Alexandrova’s rhythm and make her uncomfortable.
Prediction: Alexandrova in Three Sets
While Raducanu’s court coverage and resilience can trouble Alexandrova, the Russian’s form and confidence give her a slight edge. If Alexandrova plays at the level she showed in Linz, she has the firepower to overpower Raducanu in a close three-set battle.
That being said, if Raducanu finds her rhythm early, this could be a much tighter contest than expected.
Do you think Raducanu can turn her season around with an upset win? Let’s hear your take!