The 26th Al Habtoor Tennis Challenge presented an exhilarating day of qualifiers, as Isabella Shinikova and Ksenia Zaytseva caused significant upsets by defeating the top two seeds. The event, hosted at the Habtoor Grand Resort in Dubai, showcased outstanding tennis skills and unwavering determination.
Shinikova’s hard-earned victory over top seed Viktoria Hruncakova took a total of one hour and 50 minutes to secure a 7-6 (5), 1-6, 6-3 win. Conversely, Zaytseva effortlessly dispatched 2021 champion Daria Snigur with a commanding 6-3, 6-2 victory in just one hour.
In another notable moment, Great Britain’s Heather Watson displayed her prowess by defeating former multiple doubles Grand Slam champion Kristina Mladenovic with a 6-1, 6-2 win, setting up an exciting match with third seed Rebecca Sramkova.
Anastasia Tikhonova secured the remaining quarter-final slot with a 7-6 (3), 6-4 victory against Britain’s Emily Appleton, and is now set to face Yulia Hatouka in the next stage of the competition.
Looking ahead to the upcoming quarter-finals, the matches are anticipated to be intense. Shinikova will face Nigina Abduraimova, Tikhonova will compete against Hatouka, Watson will go head-to-head with Sramkova, and Zaytseva will take on Arianne Hartono.
Reflecting on her performance, Watson expressed contentment with the win, acknowledging the intensity of the match and her opponent’s resilient play. Shinikova, the victor over the top seed, is determined to continue her impressive performance, while Zaytseva is focused on enjoying her game and taking each match as it comes.
In the doubles event, the second-seeded pair of Viktoria Hruncakova and Vera Zvonareva secured a semi-final spot with a dominant 6-1, 6-0 victory. Additionally, multiple Grand Slam champions Timea Babos and Vera Zvonareva booked their place in the semi-finals with a 6-4, 6-4 win.
As the competition progresses, the excitement continues to build, and fans can look forward to more thrilling matches in the days to come. With strong performances, unexpected upsets, and impressive displays of skill, the Al Habtoor Tennis Challenge is delivering a memorable and action-packed tournament.