DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — In an exhilarating showdown, former world No. 1 Victoria Azarenka battled back from a set and a break down to secure a thrilling victory over Anhelina Kalinina, with scores of 2-6, 7-6 (4), 6-4 on Monday, advancing to the second round of the Dubai Championships.
The 35-year-old Azarenka found herself trailing 5-2 in the second set and faced a 4-2 deficit in the tiebreaker, only to unleash a stunning comeback by clinching the next five points in succession.
Next up, she’ll take on the second-seeded Iga Swiatek, who advanced to the second round thanks to a bye.
Just two days after clinching the title at the Qatar Open in Doha, Amanda Anisimova faced an unexpected defeat, falling 6-2, 6-3 to compatriot McCartney Kessler.
No. 11-seeded Diana Shnaider advanced with a decisive win over Magdalena Frech, finishing with a score of 6-2, 6-2, while No. 12 Mirra Andreeva triumphed against Elina Avanesyan with a commanding 6-2, 6-1 victory, setting the stage for a duel against 2023 Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova.
In a surprising turn of events, two seeded players were sent packing on Monday: No. 10 Daria Kasatkina fell 6-1, 6-4 to Sorana Cirstea, while No. 13 Beatriz Haddad Maia was ousted by Anastasia Potapova, who delivered a swift 6-3, 6-0 victory.
Adding to the day’s surprises, former Wimbledon and U.S. Open finalist Ons Jabeur was eliminated after a tough fight, losing 7-6 (6), 6-4 to American rising star Peyton Stearns.
