Antonia Ruzik Advances to Dubai Tennis Quarter-Finals as 'Lucky Loser'

Feb 18, 2026

64 min

Feb 18, 2026 14:33

‘Lucky loser’ Antonia Ruzik through to quarter-finals in Dubai

## Ruzik's Unexpected Journey

Antonia Ruzik has reached the quarter-finals of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships after entering the tournament as a 'lucky loser.' The Croatian player benefited from a series of withdrawals, including top seed Elena Rybakina, who retired due to illness during their match.

## From Disappointment to Opportunity

Ruzik's week began with a loss in the qualifying round to Rebecca Sramkova. However, unexpected openings in the main draw allowed her to compete. She capitalized on this chance, defeating 2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu in her first match.

## Overcoming Challenges

In the second round, Ruzik faced Anastasia Zakharova, securing a hard-fought victory. Her resilience was evident as she bounced back after losing the second set in a tie-break. This win set up a match against Rybakina, where Ruzik's determination shone through once more.

## Rybakina's Retirement

Rybakina, the world number three, started strong but began to struggle with illness. After consulting with medical staff, she retired, allowing Ruzik to advance. Ruzik expressed surprise at the outcome, acknowledging it wasn't the ideal way to win.

## Looking Ahead

Ruzik is preparing for her quarter-final match, emphasizing the importance of pacing herself throughout the long season. She noted the numerous withdrawals in the tournament, highlighting the physical demands on players.

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