Aryna SABALENKA dumped out by delightful Donna VEKIC in crushing post Australian Open defeat at Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships
WTATuesday, 20 February 2024 at 15:06
Aryna Sabalenka’s post Australian Open return came to a shuddering halt in a three set loss to the ever dangerous, Donna Vekic at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships 6-7, 6-3, 6-0.
Sabalenka was filmed doing a shopping spree at Dubai Airport and will be heading back there in short order ahead of Indian Wells after the Croat made short work of her in a deciding set.
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In a week that could’ve seen her get closer to Iga Swiatek in the WTA Rankings, it has given the Pole who opens up her campaign shortly further impetus.
The first set was a closely ran affair with Sabalenka never quite comfortable. She lost her serve to go 2-1 down but Vekic herself could not put the foot on the accelerator. Sabalenka could at one point going 5-3 up and seemingly on course to seal the opening set. But she had to rely on a tiebreak in the end to claim the lead and narrowly so. After an arduous 75 minute set, it was the World Number Two that led.
Vekic though started to get into the game and on top. A much more straight forward mission as she broke pivotally at 5-3 and served out the second from there as Sabalenka started to fall apart. She was making fast work of Sabalenka and was soon after just over 25 minutes, one away from a crushing win. Sabalenka could barely get a foothold on Vekic’s serve and the same could be said on her own motion and she had no issues getting it done.
Samuel GillEditor-in-Chief
Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of TennisUpToDate.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces across the TennisUpToDate network, playing a central role in the daily operation and development of the site.
Based in Leicester, Samuel has a broad background in tennis media. In his current role, he works closely with editors and writers to ensure coverage meets clear journalistic standards, with particular attention to verification, consistency, and timely updates when new information becomes available.
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