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The Tunisian prevailed over the British star, who returned from a wrist injury suffered about three months ago that ended her season prematurely. However, Radukanu played well and came from behind to take the first set before narrowly losing in the tie-break.
Two-time Grand Slam finalist Jabr was back to her best form in the second set as she needed just one break point chance to take a 4-2 lead with a save. She won the set 6-3 after 36 minutes, forcing a final-set tie-break in which the first man to 10 points won the match.
Both women had short breaks before Jabeur made it 3-1 after a Raducanu strike caught tape at the net and was sent out. Raducanu managed to get back level and then made a small break of his own at 6-5, but lost the advantage as the pair continued to exchange small breaks.
After leading 8-6, Radukanu suddenly found himself 9-8 down on match point as Jabr rallied to a 5-7 6-3 10-8 victory over the debutant in Abu Dhabi. defending.
Jabeur made history last year by becoming the first Arab woman to win Mubadala, and she has now done so twice. Hence the reason she has most of the crowd cheering for her, especially from her home country.
Speaking after her win, the 28-year-old, who has a huge following in Abu Dhabi and waved a Tunisian flag, thought her opponent had done well as she was forced to come back from a set deficit to win the final four points of the match .
“I mean, I gotta play with a smile on my face, it’s great to be back, it really feels like home. Emma doesn’t make it easy for me, she’s younger than me, so take it easy, I’m old up. I really can’t express how happy I am to see so many Tunisians following me, not only from Tunisia, but also from other parts of the Arab world,” she said.
Radukanu, 20, said she was happy despite the loss to the defending champion. “I’m so excited to get out of my hotel room this year,” she said with a laugh.
"I was a little shocked last year. It’s been great to play in front of all of you, it’s the Ons’; so thank you for having me. I had to cut my season short due to a wrist injury so I’ve just been working out in the gym and started back on the court the last two weeks, happy to make some progress and looking forward to 2023. ”
There will be a men’s final with a prize pool of $250,000.
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