Aryna Sabalenka upset by Clara Tauson in Dubai last-16 exit

World number one Aryna Sabalenka struggles with form as Clara Tauson secures top-five win.

Aryna Sabalenka reacts during her third-round match against Clara Tauson of Denmark on Day Four of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships at Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on February 19, 2025. Photo by Robert Prange/Getty Images

By Randy Ahmad and Yuni Utomo

World number one Aryna Sabalenka admitted she lacked hunger on court after crashing out of the Dubai Tennis Championships in the last 16 on Wednesday. The Belarusian was comprehensively beaten 6-3, 6-2 by world number 38 Clara Tauson, marking her third defeat in four matches.

After opening the season with a title win in Brisbane and a third consecutive Australian Open final, Sabalenka has struggled to maintain momentum. Her defeat to Tauson followed an early exit in Doha last week, leaving her with just one win in three matches during the Middle East swing.

“I believe that I’m not that hungry on court,” Sabalenka said after her 82-minute loss. “I’m kind of all over the place in my thoughts and not consistent on the court. The decisions I’m making are a bit wrong, and emotionally, I’m not at my best.”

Sabalenka also revealed she has been dealing with a cold for several days but insisted she was recovering. The Dubai tournament has historically been a tough challenge for the three-time Grand Slam champion, as she has never progressed past the quarter-finals in nine appearances.

“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,” she said. “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 about how we can improve or get better in the preparation for the Middle East.”

Tauson stuns Sabalenka in biggest career victory

Tauson, 22, secured the first top-five victory of her career, following up on a late-night battle against Elina Svitolina in the previous round. The Dane needed two hours and 41 minutes to defeat Svitolina at the end of a rain-delayed day on Tuesday, leaving her with limited recovery time before facing Sabalenka.

“I’ve had some crazy 24 hours after yesterday. I think I slept maybe five hours last night. We went to sleep at 3:30 a.m., and I didn’t know what shape I was going to come out in. But a pretty good one, it seems,” Tauson said after her victory.

Tauson, who lost to Sabalenka in last month’s Australian Open, avenged that defeat with a composed and aggressive performance.

“Last time I had my chances too, but I didn’t take them. Today I was really free in my mind,” she said. “I knew she had to beat me, I’m the underdog all the way. So I was really enjoying my time out here on court, and I’m just looking forward to the next one now.”

With the win, Tauson advances to the quarter-finals, where she will face Linda Noskova. The Czech player pulled off an upset of her own, defeating world number five Jessica Pegula 6-3, 7-6 (10/8).

A tough day for top seeds in Dubai

Sabalenka was not the only high-profile casualty in Dubai, as several other top seeds suffered early exits. Fourth seed Jasmine Paolini and seventh seed Zheng Qinwen both bowed out on Wednesday, joining Pegula on the list of eliminated players.

Defending champion Paolini saw her title defense come to an abrupt end with a 6-4, 6-0 defeat to American wildcard Sofia Kenin. Meanwhile, Zheng struggled with cramps in her 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 loss to American Peyton Stearns.

“The weather is pretty hot, plus yesterday was a long day waiting and everything,” said Zheng, who had her second-round match postponed due to rain. “First of all, I started to cramp with my fingers. My two fingers stuck together, which is terrible before serving. Then after, I started to get cramps in both calves, which I never had before. It was a bit strange.”

Third seed Coco Gauff had also been eliminated earlier in the tournament, falling to McCartney Kessler on Tuesday.

With several top players exiting, world number two Iga Swiatek remains the highest-seeded contender still in the draw. The Pole secured her quarter-final spot with a 7-5, 6-0 victory over Ukrainian Dayana Yastremska, keeping her title hopes alive in Dubai.