Belarusian tennis star Aryna Sabalenka, who recently secured her second Grand Slam title at the Australian Open, encountered a challenging return to action at the Dubai Tennis Championships. The blustery conditions clearly impacted her performance as she struggled and ultimately suffered a tough second-round defeat against Donna Vekic.
At the outset, Sabalenka appeared poised for a routine victory after claiming a tight opening set and obtaining an early break in the following set. However, Vekic staged an impressive comeback, ultimately triumphing with a score of 6-7(5) 6-3 6-0. This unexpected defeat set the stage for a clash between Vekic and Sorana Cirstea, who emerged victorious against Veronika Kudermetova with a score of 6-1 6-4.
Upon reflecting on her performance, Sabalenka admitted that the playing conditions in Dubai did not suit her well, making it difficult for her to compete. She described feeling off throughout the match, despite initially leading and winning the first set. She conceded that her performance was subpar, enabling Vekic to capitalize and secure the win.
In discussing her impressive comeback, Vekic underscored the unpredictable nature of tennis matches, emphasizing the significance of maintaining belief and focus throughout the game. She attributed her victory to her ability to remain in the moment and approach each point as if it were the last, ultimately notching her eighth victory over a top-five player.
In other matches at the Dubai Tennis Championships, Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova faced a tough battle against American Peyton Stearns before clinching a 6-1 5-7 6-2 victory. Former French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko also delivered a strong performance, defeating Swiss player Lulu Sun with a score of 6-3 6-3.
Additionally, Brisbane and Abu Dhabi champion Elena Rybakina advanced to the round of 16 after former world number one Victoria Azarenka was forced to retire due to injury. Eighth seed Maria Sakkari signaled a return to form with a solid 6-2 6-4 win over Emma Navarro, setting up a match against Jasmine Paolini, who secured a victory against Leylah Fernandez with a score of 6-3 6-4.
Despite the challenging start to the Dubai Tennis Championships, the competition is poised to deliver more thrilling matches and impressive performances as it progresses. Fans and tennis enthusiasts can anticipate witnessing more captivating encounters and exceptional displays of skill from the world’s top players.