A comeback from the Czech Barbora Krejcikova caused the first defeat of the season for the Belarusian Aryna Sabalenkasecond favorite, in the quarterfinals of the WTA 1000 tournament in Dubai, marked by the withdrawals of the Czechs Karolina Pliskova and Karolina Muchova.
Pliskova did not appear for the duel against the world number one, the Polish Every Swiatekdue to a virus. Swiatek went directly to the semifinals, in which she will face fifth-seeded Coco Gauff, who took the American duel against Madison Keys by 6-2 and 7-5.
The also Czech Karolina Muchova left the tournament due to an abdominal injury that gave the classification to the American Jessica Pegulathird favourite.
The North American will face the Czech Barbora Krejcikova, who caused the first defeat in 2023 of the Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka, 0-6, 7-6 (2) and 6-1.
Barbora Krejcikova
With a strong comeback achieved in two hours, Krejcikova beat Sabalenka, the second player in the world, winner of the Melbourne tournament and the Australian Open, for the first time in three matches.
Aryna Sabalenka had won her first 13 matches this season.
read also
