The world’s number one Iga Swiatek (Poland) advanced to the Round of 16 at the WTA 1000 Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships with a prize pool of 3,211,715 USD. The Polish tennis player defeated over Sloane Stephens (USA) by 2-0 (6:4, 6:4) in nearly two hours of play. It was interesting that in the first set there were a total of seven breaks – four for Iga Swiatek, three for Sloane Stephens, and in the second only one in favor of the world leader in the rankings.
In the Round of 16, Iga Swiatek will face Elina Svitolina (Ukraine), who eliminated Tatjana Maria (Germany) by 2-0 (6:3, 6:3).
Brisbane and Abu Dhabi champion Elena Rybakina (Kazakhstan) also advanced to the third round after her Belarusian rival Victoria Azarenka retired in the third set at 1-1 (4:6, 6:2).
The eighth-seeded Maria Sakkari (Greece) achieved a straight-set victory against Emma Navarro (USA) by 2-0 (6:2, 6:4) and will play in the next phase with Jasmine Paolini (Italy), who prevailed over Leylah Fernandez (Canada) by 2-0 (6:3, 6:4).
The 6th-seeded Qinwen Zheng (China) also advanced ahead after eliminated Nao Hibino (Japan) by 2-1 (5:7, 6:2, 6:2).
