New Delhi: Sixth seed Elena Rybakina and ninth seed Paula Badosa advanced to the round of 16 of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships and will face each other next in the hardcourt tournament.
Rybakina defeated Moyuka Uchijima 6-3, 6-2 while Badosa beat Elise Mertens 6-2, 6-1 before rain postponed the action at The Aviation Club Tennis Centre.
Fourth seed Jasmine Paolini lead Eva Lys 6-2, 6-5 and had a match point when play was suspended.
Fifth seed Jessica Pegula led Liudmila Samsonova 4-0 in the first set when rain halted the proceedings with top seed Aryna Sabalenka scheduled to take on Veronika Kudermetova and Coco Gauff facing McCartney Kessler later.
Second seed Iga Swiatek, who received a bye in the first round, will face former No. 1 Victoria Azarenka.
Badosa took an hour and five minutes to beat Mertens, hitting four aces to break four times. Spanoard Badosa had an average of 87 per cent on first-serve and an 83 per cent conversion rate on second-serve returns.
It will be Badosa’s eighth career meeting with Rybakina and she has a 4-3 edge in the head-to-head count.
‘Disappointing’
After her victory, Rybakina spoke about the challenges she is faced with since her coach Stefano Vukov’s suspension was extended to a year for failing to comply with WTA’s code of conduct.
“It’s very disappointing the way it’s been handled, just the outcome. No one offered any support. Honestly don’t need. There is couple players I’m in touch more,” she said.
“But to say that I have very, very close friends on tour, it’s I think not true just because we competing against each other. Everybody’s surrounded by their teams.”
But she is glad to spend time at her second home in Dubai where she also trains.
“It’s just nice to be in the apartment, go to the places you usually go,” the 2022 Wimbledon champion said.
“For now I’m just doing my routines. Since the tournament is still going, I’m just focusing on my basic daily routines.
“Yeah, I love to go to the beach. Spend some time shopping. But for this you need a bit more energy. So, it’s all depends,” she added.
Elena Rybakina overcame Moyuka Uchijima 6-3, 6-2 while Paula Badosa defeated Elise Mertens 6-2, 6-1 before rain postponed the action at The Aviation Club Tennis Centre in Dubai. Tennis Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
