New Delhi: World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka slumped to a surprise loss in the round of 16 clash of the Dubai Championships, going down 6-3, 6-2 to unheralded Claura Tauson, who continues her giant-killing act in the tournament.
World No.38 Tauson had beaten Elina Svitolina in three sets victory in the previous round and went to bed late after a late-night match and had to wake up early for her clash against Sabalenka.
It was the 22-year-old Tauson’s first win over Sabalenka and she next faces Linda Noskova in the quarter-finals. Czech Noskova defeated fifth-seed Jessica Pegula of USA 6-3, 7-6 (8).
“I think I slept maybe five hours last night. We went to sleep at 3.30 am. I didn’t know what shape I was going to come out here in, but a pretty good one,” Clauson said.
Swiatek advances
Second seed Iga Swiatek, however, was hardly troubled in her 7-5, 6-0 win over Dayana Yastremska to set up a clash with Mirra Andreeva, who beat Peyton Sterns 6-1, 6-1.
Swiatek too 1 hour and 32 minutes to complete her win, having gone down in their only previous meeting with Yastremska 7-6(2), 6-4 in the Billie Jean King Cup in 2019.
“I knew I had many opportunities to break Dayana on her serve, so I just wanted to be consistent with my service games and I knew the chances are going to come,” Swiatek said after her win.
“We have many girls on tour right now who are heavy hitters and they risk it. If it’s in, it’s impossible to get it. If it’s out, you grab these points and be grateful for them. It’s not easy — you have to have a lot of patience and acceptance.”
Defending champion Jasmine Paolini also went out after a 6-4, 6-0 defeat to Sofia Kenin. Paoli was injured on her right ankle during the second set and was reduced to tears.
The Italian took a medical timeout but thereafter couldn’t put up much resistance to Kenin, who mext takes on sixth seed Elena Rybakina in the quarter-finals.
Kazakh Rybakina saved six match points to defeat ninth seed Paula Badosa 4-6, 7-6 (8), 7-6 (2). Romanian Sorana Cirstea got the better of American Emma Navarro 7-6 (5), 3-6, 7-5 and faces Karolina Muchova, who beat McCartney Kessler 6-3, 1-6, 7-6 (5).
It was Claura Tauson’s first win over Aryna Sabalenka on the WTA tour and she next faces Linda Noskova in the quarter-finals of the Dubai Championships. Tennis Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
