Tauson topples Sabalenka in desert upset

Aryna Sabalenka suffered a second early loss in the Gulf on Wednesday as the world No. 1 lost 6-3, 6-2 to Clara Tauson to exit in the third round of the WTA Dubai 1000 event.

Sabalenka, a two-time Grand Slam champion, was knocked out a week ago in her opening match in Doha; she defeated Tauson last month in the Australian Open .third round.

Tauson said she was unsure of her form after finishing off a post-midnight win on Tuesday over Elina Svitolina which took nearly three hours.

“I’ve had a crazy 24 hours. I only got to sleep at 3:30 a.m. and didn’t know how I would feel

“But I came out in pretty good shape. 

“I was hitting everything today, I took my chances and it really worked well.”

The 38th-ranked Tauson has made a rousing run so far in the emirate, defeating former Dubai winner Elina Svitolina in the second round. She broke Sabalenka  six times. 

Sabalenka lost serve three times in a disappointing first set but looked to be starting a turnaround with a break of the Dane to start the second.

But the momentum shift never arrived, with Tauson running out the upset result in just over an hour on court, with Sabalenka saving six break points to hold for 2-4 before eventually taking the loss, her third of the season.  

“The last time I played her I had chances that I didn’t take,” Tauson said. “Today I was free in my mind – I’m the underdog all the way and she has to beat me.”

Main photo:- Clara Tauson serving to Aryna Sabalenka – by WTATennis.com