Clara Tauson delivered the performance of her career at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, stunning World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka with a commanding 6-3, 6-2 victory in the third round. In a match that lasted just 83 minutes, the 22-year-old Dane avenged her Australian Open loss to Sabalenka and clinched only her second career win over a Top 10 player.
“I felt like I had a chance after our last match in Australia,” Tauson said after the match. “Today, it was about taking those chances—and I did!”
Tauson, who was forced to retire from last week’s Qatar TotalEnergies Open due to illness, showed no signs of weakness as she overpowered Sabalenka. With pinpoint accuracy and relentless aggression, she capitalized on Sabalenka’s off-form play to secure her first-ever WTA 1000 quarterfinal appearance.
The match highlighted Tauson’s growth and confidence. She dominated Sabalenka’s second serve—a key adjustment from their Australian Open clash—while dictating play with her powerful groundstrokes. “Now that we’ve played twice, I feel like my pace may even be higher than hers,” Tauson mused. “She’s more consistent, but I had a good read on her shots today.”
Sabalenka, who has struggled since her Australian Open runner-up finish, admitted she hasn’t been feeling her best. “Last week was really tough for me,” she revealed. Despite flashes of brilliance, including a gutsy hold in a marathon game in the second set, she couldn’t match Tauson’s intensity.
For Tauson, this win is a statement. Once seen as a rising star after winning the 2019 junior Australian Open, injuries and inconsistencies had slowed her progress. Now, with three career titles and a newfound confidence, she looks ready to make a serious impact.
Next up, Tauson faces fellow big-hitter Linda Noskova in a quarterfinal showdown. If she keeps this level up, Dubai might just be the place where she officially announces herself as a future star of the sport.
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