Sabalenka stunned in post-Open loss

Aryna Sabalenka stumbled in her first match in nearly a month since winning the Australian Open as she crashed out on Tuesday at the WTA Dubai 1000 event.

The world No. 2 and second seed was ambushed by dangerous longtime opponent Donna Vekic, with the Croat posting a 6-7 (5), 6-3, 6-0 second-round upset.

Sabalenka has not played since defeating Zheng Quinwen for the Melbourne Grand Slam title; Vekic dominates their career series 6-2, with Sabalenka winning their last meeting in the 2023 Australian Open quarter-finals.

“It was a tough match, she’s a great player and I had to bring my best tennis,” the 27-year-old winner said.

Vekic, who swept 12 of the last 13 games in her fightback, came from a set and a break down in a victory which lasted for almost two and a half hours.

Main photo:- Aryna Sabalenka with the 2024 Australian Open Trophy by ISF Ltd

Bill Scott

Recent Posts

Underdogs GB pull off BJK win over Australia

Team GB pulled off  a 3–1 victory over Australia in the Billie Jean King Cup…

4 days ago

Superb Sinner drops Alcaraz to return to ATP No. 1

Jannik Sinner will take back the No. 1 ranking on Monday after winning his fourth…

6 days ago

Djoko dropping hints that career has short shelf life

Novak Djokovic has been making it plain that the end of his career is approaching,…

6 days ago

Sinner, Alcaraz set title clash on Monte Carlo clay

Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz fulfilled expectations on Saturday as the top pair in the…

7 days ago

Sinner can do no wrong against Zverev

Jannik Sinner put pure power on display Saturday as the Italian reached his first Monte Carlo…

7 days ago

300th win sends Alcaraz into Monte Carlo final four

Carlos Alcaraz earned the 300th win of his ATP career as the Spaniard rolled 6-3,…

1 week ago