Championships

British number one Emma Raducanu has been knocked out of the Dubai Tennis Championships in the first round.

She recovered from a set and a break down against Antonia Ruzic to force a decider but the Croatian prevailed, winning 6-1 5-7 6-2.

Ruzic is ranked 67th in the world and was one of seven lucky losers from qualifying to fill the main draw after several players pulled out through injury, illness or a schedule change.

The Croatian said it was a ‘crazy turnaround,’ with little preparation time for what became her first career top 30 win.

“We were going to stay here for two-three days. It’s crazy because I got in on Monday. Playing against Emma, of course, is a tough match,” Ruzic explained.

“A lot of the girls were cancelling and a lot of them were not here to sign (as alternates). I was like ‘OK, I’m going to sign and let’s see what happens’.”

Raducanu’s initial opponent Elisabetta Cocciaretto was ruled out with a thigh problem, and Ruzic won the first set in 30 minutes having twice broken Raducanu.

The world number 25 then sought medical attention, just as she did last week at the Qatar Open when she had to retire from her first-round match.

Despite falling 5-3 down after being broken again in the second set, Raducanu fought back to claim two breaks and make it a set apiece.

The Briton won six consecutive games at the end of the second set and start of the third to go 2-0 up in the decider, but Ruzic won the next six to clinch victory.

The track and field season begins in less than a month, and for an early look at who’s gotten faster should happen on Saturday when Arcadia High is the site for the California winter championships.

The meet is run by Rich Gonzalez, who also handles the Arcadia Invitational.

Servite is sending most of its top sprinters to the event, which includes running in the 60-, 150- and 300-meter races. Twins Jace and Jorden Wells have already shown they will be faster in their sophomore seasons. Ditto for Jaelen Hunter.

Another athlete earning rave reviews in the offseason has been Loyola’s Ejam Yohannes in the 200 and 400.

This is a daily look at the positive happenings in high school sports. To submit any news, please email eric.sondheimer@latimes.com.

Emma Finucane and Anna Morris won gold for Great Britain on day three of the 2026 UEC Track Elite European Championships in Turkey.

Olympic and former world champion Finucane, 23, came into the third day of action in Konya in fine form after setting a new world record for the women’s flying 200m time-trial on Monday.

In the final of the women’s sprint, Finucane’s time of 10.608 seconds was 0.045secs faster than team-mate Sophie Capewell to secure her second gold medal of the event.

Finucane said after her win: “Yesterday I wanted to execute my ride perfectly, and I did; I came away with a world record and I couldn’t believe it.

“But it doesn’t finish there, you still have to race races and the girls were really fast, there was lots of fast sprinting and to come away with this medal and with this jersey means so so much to me. “

Finucane’s Welsh compatriot, Olympic bronze medalist Morris, dominated the women’s omnium to win her third European Championship gold medal.

Morris, who said the “European jersey is really special”, finished 13 points in front of Norway’s Anita Stenberg.

Matt Bostock finished fourth in the men’s individual pursuit.

Great Britain have won seven medals in Turkey, including four golds.