Azarenka wins, gets Rybakina next in Dubai
Former No. 1 Victoria Azarenka sets up a second-round matchup with Elena Rybakina at the Dubai Championships after defeating Arantxa Rus.
Azarenka advances to second round
Former world No. 1 Victoria Azarenka secured a spot in the second round of the Dubai Championships with a victory over Arantxa Rus. Azarenka defeated Rus with a score of 6-2, 6-4. The win sets up a much-anticipated matchup with Elena Rybakina in the next round.
This is an important tournament for Azarenka, as she looks to continue her winning streak. She has been in good form recently and is determined to add more wins to her record.
Rybakina has a 2-0 record against Azarenka in their previous encounters, so it will be an interesting match to see if Azarenka can turn the tables and come out on top this time.
Top women's players reunited
The Dubai Championships will see the top four women's players -- Iga Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff, and Elena Rybakina -- compete against each other for the first time since the Australian Open. All four players received first-round byes and will begin their matches on Tuesday.
Swiatek, who is currently ranked No. 1, recently defeated Rybakina in the Doha final. She will be playing against former U.S. Open champion Sloane Stephens in her first-round match.
Sabalenka, who hasn't played for three weeks since winning her second consecutive Australian Open, will face Donna Vekic in the second round. Sabalenka has never advanced past the quarterfinals in Dubai.
Gauff has Elisabetta Cocciaretto as her first-round opponent. Rybakina, on the other hand, will face Azarenka in what promises to be an exciting clash.
Other notable results
Elina Svitolina, a former champion of the Dubai Championships, emerged victorious in her match against Anhelina Kalinina. Svitolina defeated her fellow Ukrainian player with a score of 6-3, 7-6(7).
Jelena Ostapenko also won her match against Wang Xiyu after a tough three-set battle. Despite facing 11 aces from her opponent, Ostapenko managed to secure a 5-7, 6-2, 6-3 victory.
Karolina Pliskova, a former finalist in Dubai, continued her good form with a win over Zhang Shuai. Pliskova defeated Zhang with a score of 6-3, 7-5.
