Emma Raducanu’s lack of seeding at Masters events has continued to haunt her throughout the past few months.
Raducanu has been desperately unlucky with her Grand Slam draws, and it continued at the Qatar Open, where she drew in-form Camila Osorio.
The British number one has struggled on the bigger stages recently, having won just one match at her last three WTA 1000 events.
Raducanu has been given a fairly kind first round match at the Dubai Tennis Championships, but she will be dropped in the deep end after that.
Emma Raducanu faced with a tough Dubai draw
Only the 16 top players earn a seed at WTA 1000 events, meaning Raducanu is now in danger of meeting the best players on the tour in the early stages.
In Dubai, Raducanu will begin her campaign against Elisabeth Cocciaretto, who knocked Coco Gauff out of the Qatar Open.
Who should be Emma Raducanu’s next coach?
If Raducanu comes through her first round match, she will likely be faced with a tough match against Qatar Open finalist Karolina Muchova.
The matches don’t get any easier after that, with a potential third round match with the number one seed Elena Rybakina in the second round.
Raducanu has also been drawn in the same section as Elina Svitolina, Belinda Bencic, Paula Badosa, and Abu Dhabi Open champion Sára Bejlek.
The British number one will have to play at the absolute top of her game if she wants to improve her WTA 1000 woes.
Emma Raducanu was on the cusp of solving her tough draw issues
The Dubai Tennis Championships have been marred by several high-profile withdrawals, with both Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek pulling out of the event.
As such, the final seed for the event became world number 20 Iva Jovic, who has drawn Maria Sakkari in the first round.
Raducanu, at World No. 25, was just five ranking places away from earning a seeded entry into the competition.
Emma Raducanu won her first Grand Slam too soon – Prove me wrong!
For reference, Jovic has been given a much easier route through to the quarter-finals, with Jessica Pegula and Ekaterina Alexandrova her toughest seeds.
Jovic will not need to play either until at least the third round, with a second round match with Maya Joint or Diana Schnaider on the cards.
If Raducanu can boost her ranking just a little bit more, she will have a much easier ride at the bigger events.
