Aryna Sabalenka’s shocking loss to Clara Tauson marks worst serving stat in nearly three years

Wednesday, 19 February 2025 at 22:30

Aryna Sabalenka’s disappointing loss to Clara Tauson in Dubai came with a particularly negative statistic: the world No. 1 had not lost five consecutive service games in nearly three years. In one of her most inconsistent performances in recent times, Sabalenka fell 3-6, 2-6 to the 22-year-old Dane.

Tauson delivered an outstanding performance, winning 80% of points on her first serve, compared to just 46% for Sabalenka. She also capitalized on 6 of 16 break point opportunities, while Sabalenka converted only 2 of 3.

Read also

A key strength of Sabalenka’s game is her dominance on serve, often giving opponents little chance to break. However, against Tauson, she looked vulnerable and won less than half of her service points. Between the first and second sets, she lost five consecutive service games—a rare sight for the Belarusian, last seen at the 2022 San Jose Open, where Daria Kasatkina defeated her 4-6, 7-5, 6-0, winning the last five games in a row.

Read also

Sabalenka’s early exit at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships follows her defeat last week at the WTA 1000 Qatar Open, capping off a disappointing Middle East swing with minimal ranking points gained. She has now suffered three losses in her last four matches since the Australian Open final.

Her next challenge will be Indian Wells, where she was runner-up in 2023 (losing to Elena Rybakina) and will need to defend points from reaching the fourth round last year.

Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist

Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.

His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.

In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.

See author's posts

claps 0visitors 0

Emma Raducanu shaken after spotting stalker in Dubai crowd: “I’m proud of how I came back”

Aryna Sabalenka’s struggles continue as Clara Tauson secures stunning Dubai win