Denmark’s Clara Tauson earned her first career win over a World No. 1 in emphatic fashion at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships on Wednesday with a 6-3, 6-2 triumph over top seed Aryna Sabalenka.
The 22-year-old Dane advanced to her first career WTA 1000 quarterfinal after dominating Sabalenka for nearly the duration of the 1-hour, 23-minute match, which also counted as Tauson’s revenge for a third-round loss to Sabalenka at last month’s Australian Open. She served seven aces, broke Sabalenka’s serve six times, and from 2-1 in the first set, she never trailed.
“I tried to take my chance.. I’ve had a crazy 24 hours after yesterday. I slept maybe 5 hours & went to sleep at 3:30 am. I didn’t know what shape I’d come out here in. Pretty good one” Clara Tauson on beating Aryna Sabalenka in Dubai.
Aryna Sabalenka blamed a lack of hunger for her last-16 exit in Dubai at the hands of world number 38 Clara Tauson on Wednesday, insisting she was kind of all over the place”.
“I’d say that for the last couple of years, I’m not doing well in the Middle East. I believe we need to change something in the preparation,” said the three-time Grand Slam champion.
“Every time I don’t feel well playing here. Even health-wise I’m struggling. Australia always takes a lot of energy out of me.
“I believe we just need to think with the team for the future how we can improve or get better in the preparation for the Middle East.”
Tauson had a late-night finish in her previous match, needing two hours and 41 minutes to defeat Elina Svitolina at the end of a long, rainy day in Dubai on Tuesday.
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