Principal draw motion kicked off on Sunday on the Dubai Obligation Free Tennis Championships, the second 1000 match in as many weeks on the WTA Tour.
After reaching the third spherical in Doha final week, Leylah Annie Fernandez returned to the courtroom, falling 6-2, 6-2 to Elise Mertens of Belgium within the opening spherical. The 22-year-old from Laval was damaged 4 instances within the match and face a complete of 13 break factors in 8 service video games. In the meantime, Mertens gained 70 p.c of serve factors she performed.
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Fernandez additionally misplaced in doubles alongside accomplice Nadiia Kichenok. They have been defeated 3-6, 6-2, 10-5 by Peyton Stearns and Lulu Solar. Gabriela Dabrowski now carries the Canadian flag in Dubai. She and Erin Routliffe shall be seeking to rebound following a second spherical defeat in Doha. They’re the second seeds within the draw.
In 2024, Fernandez was overwhelmed by eventual Dubai champion Jasmine Paolini within the second spherical and in 2023, she fell to eventual finalist Iga Swiatek.
Branstine Reaches First WTA Last
It was every week to recollect for Canadian Carson Branstine who contested her maiden last on Saturday evening on the Cancun Tennis Open, a 125 occasion in Mexico.
The 24-year-old needed to qualify to get into the principle draw and as soon as she did, she reeled off a string of spectacular victories over Ena Shibahara, Lauren Davis, Katarzyna Kawa, and Maya Joint earlier than falling to Emiliana Arango within the championship match. Sadly, she fell unwell following her semi-final win and couldn’t put her finest foot ahead within the last.
Shortly after my semi last, I developed some type of flu. I didn’t sleep all evening, I did every thing I may to be prepared. I’m glad I completed the match. I didn’t wish to take away from my opponents huge second. She earned it. I’m pleased with myself this week https://t.co/Sj8fhi0svK
— Carson Branstine (@carsonbranstine) February 16, 2025
Regardless of arising simply brief in her title bid, Branstine’s efficiency in Cancun will enable her to realize a career-high WTA rating of no. 207 on Monday.
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