Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka faced a surprising defeat at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, losing to Donna Vekic in a thrilling match. Vekic's impressive performance saw her break Sabalenka seven times and secure victory by winning 12 out of the last 13 games. The match lasted two hours and 22 minutes, with Vekic advancing to the final 16 of the prestigious 1000 tournament. This win marked Vekic's sixth victory in eight encounters with Sabalenka since 2016.
Reflecting on her victory, Vekic expressed her happiness at defeating the world No 2 player, acknowledging Sabalenka's strong form this year. Vekic credited her success to bringing her best tennis to the court and was pleased with the outcome of the match. She will now face Sorana Cirstea in the next round, who defeated Veronika Kudermetova in straight sets.
In other tennis news, Sky Sports has announced a new home for tennis coverage in the UK and Ireland. Tennis fans can now enjoy comprehensive coverage on Sky Sports Tennis, available on Sky and NOW platforms. With over 4,000 matches from 80 tournaments annually on the ATP and WTA Tours, including exclusive live coverage of the US Open, Sky Sports is set to become the go-to destination for tennis enthusiasts.
Non-Sky subscribers can access live matches through a NOW Sports Day or Month Membership, offering streaming options on Sky Sports Tennis, Sky Sports Arena, and Sky Sports Mix channels. Additionally, fans can stay updated on their favorite players and gain insights from both Tours through Sky Sports News, the Sky Sports app, SkySports.com, and Sky Sports social channels.
For tennis enthusiasts, the year ahead promises exciting coverage of the WTA and ATP Tours on Sky Sports Tennis, with the option to stream matches and more with a NOW Sports Month Membership. Stay tuned for a thrilling year of tennis action!
