Ons Jabeur and Emma Raducanu confirmed for Mubadala World Tennis Championship

Two-time Grand Slam finalist Ons Jabeur and former US Open champion Emma Raducanu will contest the one-off women's match at the 2022 Mubadala World Tennis Championship, organisers confirmed on Wednesday.

Jabeur, the world No 2, contested last year's MWTC match against Olympic gold medallist Belinda Bencic, after the Tunisian stepped in last minute to replace Raducanu, who was forced to withdraw after testing positive for Covid-19. Jabeur won the match 4-6, 6-3, (10-8).

Now the pair will square off on the first evening of the 14th edition of the tournament, which takes place December 16-18 at Zayed Sport City's International Tennis Centre in Abu Dhabi.

“Playing in Abu Dhabi is always exciting,” Jabeur, 28, said. “I had a fantastic experience there in 2021 and I don't want to lose the opportunity to defend my championship title this year. Aside from the match itself, I am most excited to see my fans there – I find them extremely special as they have supported me throughout every competition I have participated in this year.”

Jabeur was already a huge fan favourite and a big star when she made her MWTC debut last year but has since elevated her record-breaking career to new heights.

The Tunisian this year became the first Arab woman to win a Masters 1000 title with her victory in Madrid and the first to reach a Grand Slam final when she contested the Wimbledon final against Elena Rybakina. Jabeur repeated that feat by reaching the US Open final two months later but fell just short to world No 1 Iga Swiatek.

On the opposite side of the net will be a player who has also created history in her short career so far. Raducanu become the first qualifier in the Open era to win a major title when she lifted the US Open trophy in