The fifth day of the WTA 500 Abu Dhabi event brings eight third-round singles encounter, with 16 players battling to reach the quarter-final at Zayed Sports City's International Tennis Centre.
The 4th seed Aryna Sabalenka has won the previous 11 matches, seeking the 12th consecutive victory against Ons Jabeur, who beat her at Roland Garros last year in three sets. Elena Rybakina and Daria Kasatkina hit the court after them, facing each other for the second time after Ostrava at the end of 2020. Garbine Muguruza scored two convincing victories in Abu Dhabi so far, hoping for more of the same against Maria Sakkari, who defeated Cor Gauff on Saturday in straight sets.
Sofia Kenin is the top seed at some WTA event for the second time, passing the opening two rounds and facing the 13th seed Yulia Putintseva in the battle for the quarters. The 2nd seed Elina Svitolina and the 17th seed Ekaterina Alexandrova wrap up the Center court action in their second meeting after Roland Garros last year.
On Court 1, Marta Kostyuk and Tamara Zidansek play for a massive quarter-final at the beginning of the season, followed by Sara Sorribes Tormo and Anastasia Gasanova, who stunned Karolina Pliskova on Saturday. Paula Badosa and Veronika Kudermetova close the day on the second court.
WTA Abu Dhabi Sunday's Schedule of Play:
CENTRE COURT - From 08:00
[4] Aryna SABALENKA (BLR) vs. [15] Ons JABEUR (TUN)
Daria KASATKINA (RUS) vs. [6] Elena RYBAKINA (KAZ)
[9] Maria SAKKARI (GRE) vs. [5] Garbiñe MUGURUZA (ESP)
[1] Sofia KENIN (USA) vs. [13] Yulia PUTINTSEVA (KAZ)
[17] Ekaterina ALEXANDROVA (RUS) vs. [2] Elina SVITOLINA (UKR)
[4] Aryna SABALENKA (BLR) vs. [15] Ons JABEUR (TUN)
Daria KASATKINA (RUS) vs. [6] Elena RYBAKINA (KAZ)
[9] Maria SAKKARI (GRE) vs. [5] Garbiñe MUGURUZA (ESP)
[1] Sofia KENIN (USA) vs. [13] Yulia PUTINTSEVA (KAZ)
[17] Ekaterina ALEXANDROVA (RUS) vs. [2] Elina SVITOLINA (UKR)
COURT 1 - From 08:00
Marta KOSTYUK (UKR) vs. Tamara ZIDANSEK (SLO)
Sara SORRIBES TORMO (ESP) vs. [Q] Anastasia GASANOVA (RUS)
Paula BADOSA (ESP) vs. Veronika KUDERMETOVA (RUS)
After suitable rest
[8] Hayley CARTER (USA) / Luisa STEFANI (BRA) vs. Veronika KUDERMETOVA (RUS) / Anastasia POTAPOVA (RUS)
Marta KOSTYUK (UKR) vs. Tamara ZIDANSEK (SLO)
Sara SORRIBES TORMO (ESP) vs. [Q] Anastasia GASANOVA (RUS)
Paula BADOSA (ESP) vs. Veronika KUDERMETOVA (RUS)
After suitable rest
[8] Hayley CARTER (USA) / Luisa STEFANI (BRA) vs. Veronika KUDERMETOVA (RUS) / Anastasia POTAPOVA (RUS)
claps 1visitors 1
Just In
Popular News
Latest Comments
- Vukov is doing this to Lena... AGAIN!!!!! WTA's autonomous collective should be dismantled for allowing Vukov to re-emerge from his hand-slapping suspension. Just ask WTA employees how that's been going lately as they witness his continued verbal abuses. Women's Pro Tennis should start over.
mandoist08-11-2026 - Can't help but suspect Vukov is back to his old self again. Thank you, WTA. Perhaps you can give them a "Battling Couple of the Year Award 2026" ??mandoist08-11-2026
- Wtf? Why is there no reason? And what about the men's?Bel08-11-2026
- One step by another step -- WTA continues to 'lose the plot'. Too many hi-tech microphones being installed at most venues!!! Remove them (especially those along the hallways, sidewalks, and pathways throughout the venues. Not to mention (most of all) remove the mic's from the Players/Coaches Box.mandoist06-11-2026
- Enough of her bullshit. Go marry someone.mandoist06-11-2026
- Don't you just love this young lady!? We fans often expect athletes to be supermen and superwomen, often forgetting that they WILL GET TIRED! I love Alex's perspective. Tiredness for an athlete should never be viewed as a negative, especially if you are healthy, taking care of your body and mental health and putting in the work. What a mature perspective. Good for you, Alex!Rapunzel05-11-2026
- Jess is absolutely correct! But the disrespect is a trait I have noticed in most of the Russian players. Mirra is good but very immature and lacks humility. Conceivable needs to get a handle on that!Rapunzel05-11-2026
- Having spent weeks and weeks through the years on tour, I can say with confidence that Conchita was (is) one of the very few who realize the surprising level of maturity (and sometimes lack of) which Mirra seems to have developed in such a demanding adult world of Pro-Tennis. While at the same time reminding herself (Conchita, that is) that Mirra is still young and developing mentally and physically. The general public may forget at times, or not at all realize, these modern era young athletes do not have a 'normal' Youth. It's a major sacrifice, among countless sacrifices, these athletes must make. People who blow-off that fact are ignorant and unfair when they blurt out, "They choose fame so they have to put up with the intrusions on their lives". No, they do not.mandoist05-11-2026
- Okay... someone with a camera was EAVESDROPPING on a private conversation. Shouldn't that be the point of discussion here? Regardless of the sensationalist crap by media, Pegula (and anyone) has a right to an opinion. There used to be an expectation that private conversations were respected, regardless of 'stardom' and whatever other defensive excuses media tries to shove in our faces. Boo-hoo if feelings are hurt. BTW: Having been employed at various tourney venues, etc., I can't tell you how nasty and offensive players can be when discussing their opponents and colleagues... in "private". Well, I could, but won't. I also challenge anyone to deny what Jessica said is false.mandoist05-11-2026
- Vacherot is Mongasque, rather than Swiss. The tournament was Swiss :DTrwd7702-11-2026
