Elina Svitolina fell just short of completing a big comeback against Clara Tauson so a projected Dubai round-of-16 showdown between the Ukrainian and Aryna Sabalenka is off.
After annihilating Anna Kalinskaya 6-1 6-2 in her Dubai opener, Svitolina found herself down by a set and also trailing 3-0 in the second set.
But then, the 2023 Wimbledon semifinalist went on a big run and won the next six games to clinch the second set and force a decider.
In the third set, Svitolina was down by a break but broke back Tauson when the world No. 38 was serving for the match at 5-4.
While the Ukrainian tennis star managed to force a tie-break, she collapsed there as the Dane opened a 6-1 lead before converting her fourth match point to complete a 7-6 (5) 3-6 7-6 (4) win.
It was the second meeting between the two.
Previously, Tauson won their clash at an ITF event in Oeiras in 2023 – that match was played shortly after the Ukrainian kicked off her post-pregnancy comeback.
Svitolina loses but Sabalenka wins
Before the former world No. 3 lost to the Dane, top-seeded Sabalenka overcame Veronika Kudermetova in two sets 6-3 6-4.
“I’m really glad that I was able to play today, to win this match. I’m happy to be through this tough match against Veronika,” the Belarusian said after her win.
“It’s always like a roller coaster of a game with [Kudermetova]. That’s why I’m happy with the way I stayed focused today. No matter how she played, I was there fighting, trying to stay focused on myself and on my game.”
Now, Sabalenka and Tauson are set to meet for the second time.
A bit interestingly, their first meeting came just recently at the Australian Open, when the world No. 1 beat the Danish tennis player 7-6 (5) 6-4 in the third round.
Tennis World USA