Emma Raducanu in tears during battling Dubai defeat by Muchova

An emotional Emma Raducanu was knocked out of the Dubai Tennis Championships by Karolina Muchova in a hard-fought second-round showdown.

The 22-year-old fought back from a dreadful start to take the first set to a tie-break, but ultimately went down 7-6 (6), 6-4 against the 14th seed to miss out on a last-16 clash with the American McCartney Kessler, who had earlier dumped Coco Gauff, the world No 3, out of the tournament.

Raducanu, who appeared to be in tears as she went to the umpire’s chair after the second game, suffered a nightmare opening to a rain-delayed encounter, losing two service games as she fell 4-0 behind.

However, the world No 61 broke back in the fifth courtesy of a stunning backhand return down the line before holding serve for the first time, and she was right back in it when she broke for a second time in the ninth game to trail only 5-4.

The Briton saved two set points to take it to a tie-break, where she failed to convert one of her own as her 28-year-old Czech opponent eventually prevailed 8-6.

Raducanu’s disappointment was compounded when she was broken again in the first game of the second set and after failing to convert any of the three break points she earned in the sixth game, it was Muchova who edged across the line 6-4.

Gauff too went out in straight sets as her compatriot Kessler claimed a first win against a top 10-ranked player. The 25-year-old – ranked No 53 in the world – took the first set 6-4 and immediately broke in the first game of the second to pile on the pressure.

McCartney Kessler managed her first victory over a top 10-ranked player as she beat Coco Gauff 6-4, 7-5. Photograph: Amr Alfiky/Reuters

Though it remained tight, Gauff was ultimately unable to turn the match around and went down 6-4, 7-5.

Raducanu and Katie Boulter, the British No 1, are set to compete at the new HSBC Championships in London. Women’s professional tennis will be returning to the Queen’s Club from for the first time in more than half a century from 7-15 June.

Madison Keys – the Australian Open champion – also joins the lineup, alongside Naomi Osaka and last year’s Eastbourne champion, Daria Kasatkina, with more names still to be announced for the WTA 500 event.