Draw WTA Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships 2025 headlined by Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek, and Coco Gauff
WTA
The draw has been confirmed ahead of the 2025 Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, the second WTA 1000 event of the season, featuring several top players looking to bounce back from disappointments in Doha. Meanwhile, defending champion Jasmine Paolini faces a tough challenge in her title defense.
The top seeds arrive with mixed fortunes. Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff, and Zheng Qinwen all suffered early exits in Doha and are eager to get back to winning ways, especially the Chinese star, whose ranking is starting to drop after a shaky start to the season. She awaits the winner of Ons Jabeur vs. Peyton Stearns.
The world No. 1 will face the winner of an all-Russian clash between Veronika Kudermetova and Ekaterina Alexandrova—the same player who defeated her in the Round of 32 just days ago. Gauff will also face a fellow American, taking on the winner of McCartney Kessler vs. Amanda Anisimova, who just claimed the title in Doha.
Elena Rybakina and Iga Swiatek showed strong form in Doha this week, delivering a thrilling quarterfinal battle. The Polish star emerged victorious but fell in the semifinals, ending her three-year title streak at the Qatar Open. Both players showcased high-level tennis and appear strong contenders for the Dubai title.
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Rybakina will face either Moyuka Uchijima or Doha runner-up Jelena Ostapenko. On the other side, Swiatek awaits the winner of Victoria Azarenka vs. Anhelina Kalinina.
Other exciting first-round matchups include former Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin against 16th seed Donna Vekic, former Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova against Caroline Garcia, and 9th seed Paula Badosa facing New Zealand’s Lulu Sun.
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.
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