Aryna Sabalenka returns to the tour at the WTA 1000 tournament in Dubai. The Australian Open winner ended up in the same half of the tournament as Elena Rybakina.
by Nikolaus Fink
last edited: February 17, 2024, 12:56 p.m
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Aryna Sabalenka returns to the tour in Dubai
The WTA 1000 event in Dubai boasts a strong field of participants. For the first time since the Australian Open, the four best players in the world will compete in the same tournament. This is not least due to Aryna Sabalenka, who will be back on the tour in the United Arab Emirates for the first time since her triumph in Melbourne.
Like seven other players, the world number two will initially benefit from a bye in Dubai. In the second round, Sabalenka will face Xinyu Wang or Donna Vekic; the first seeded opponent could be Veronika Kudermetova in the round of 16. In the semi-finals, a duel with Elena Rybakina, who has recently been in top form, is possible.
Rybakina threatens early duel with Azarenka
The Kazakh, who won in Abu Dhabi last week and will face Iga Swiatek in the Doha final on Saturday, had a difficult draw. There is a risk of a clash with Victoria Azarenka in the second round, after which Rybakina could face Ekaterina Alexandrova.
The field in Dubai is led by Iga Swiatek, who will face Sloane Stephens or a qualifier at the start. Elina Svitolina, seeded 16th, could wait in the third round. Qinwen Zheng, Coco Gauff and Ons Jabeur also ended up in the top half of the tournament.
The single tableau in Dubai
2024-02-17 12:15:00
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