The unlikely WTA doubles duo, the ERs, Elena Rybakina, 26, and Emma Raducanu, 22, won their opening match at the 2025 Mubadala Citi Open. Both are Grand Slam champions (Rybakina: 2022 Wimbledon and Raducanu 2021 US Open) are known for their hard hitting baseline games. Neither is especially known for their volleys, net game, or finesse shots which are integral to doubles.
How Elena Rybakina And Emma Raducanu Played
Rybakina and Raducanu got off to a slow start and dropped the first set. They played better toward the end of the second set and shined in the second set tiebreak. The deciding 10 point tiebreaker found them in a commanding lead with five match points, but it was ultimately decided 11-9.
These two Grand Slam champions make a good team 🙂↕️
Stream Emma Raducanu and Elena Rybakina playing doubles right now on the Tennis Channel App 📲 #MubadalaDCCitiOpen pic.twitter.com/RO0X4huMj5
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) July 21, 2025
Rybakina and Emma Raducanu win their first doubles match 😛 pic.twitter.com/DKxZdlYwz9
— CATweets (@CAme_Tweets) July 21, 2025
Both players would benefit from being more comfortable at the net so doubles play is a good step in that direction. They had an easy rapport together, communicated well, and were smiling at times after winning points.
There was at least one scary close call where both were going for the ball, but Rybakina and Raducanu will iron out some of those kinks as they play together more.
Doubles Headlines Mubadala Citi Open’s Opening Day
On Day 1 of the 2025 Mubadala Citi Open, doubles has been a crowd pleasing event with Venus Williams and Hailey Baptiste winning in straight sets earlier in the day. Fans packed the stands for Rybakina and Raducanu’s winning effort and Nick Kyrgios and Gael Monfils’s losing effort.
The all-American theme will continue in the night session with Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe teaming up.
Rybakina, Raducanu, Williams, and Baptiste are also playing singles and will have their opening round matches on Tuesday.
Watch the 2025 Mubadala Citi Open, the only combined WTA 500 and ATP 500 tournament in the United States, on the Tennis Channel from now through the finals on July 27.
