Sabalenka, Swiatek, Defending Champion Paolini Headline Dubai

By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Monday, December 16, 2024

Photograph credit score: Francois Nel/Getty for Dubai Responsibility Free Tennis Championships  

Dubai will have fun its silver anniversary with gold customary champions.

World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, five-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek, Olympic gold-medal champion Zheng Qinwen and reigning champion Jasmine Paolini headline the sector for landmark twenty fifth anniversary Dubai Responsibility Free Tennis Championships’ subsequent February.

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Organizers introduced a loaded lineup for the WTA 1000-level occasion, set for February 16-29, 2025.

Reigning Wimbledon winner and 2023 Dubai champion Barbora Krejcikova, 2023 semifinalist Jessica Pegula and 2018 finalist Daria Kasatkina are among the many notable names who’ve dedicated to the silver anniversary version of Dubai.

“This yr marks an necessary landmark as we have fun the twenty fifth anniversary of the WTA Championships in Dubai,” Ramesh Cidambi, Chairman of Dubai Responsibility Free Tennis Championships Organizing Committee mentioned. “The match’s elevation to everlasting WTA 1000 standing final yr underlines the caliber of expertise this competitors persistently attracts and with the world’s prime 10 gamers now confirmed to take part, Dubai continues to solidify its standing as a premier vacation spot on the worldwide tennis stage.”

Final February, Paolini reeled off 16 of the ultimate 19 factors preventing off qualifier Anna Kalinskaya 4-6, 7-5, 7-5, in a dramatic Dubai Responsibility Free Championships remaining comeback victory. Kalinskaya toppled No. 1 Swiatek en path to her greatest profession remaining.

By no means say die 🏆

Jasmine Paolini claims her maiden WTA 1000 title in opposition to Kalinskaya 4-6, 7-5, 7-5 after coming from 3-5 down within the third!#DDFTennis pic.twitter.com/womQ9IprjG

— wta (@WTA) February 24, 2024

Exuding vitality and defiance, the 5’4” Italian stood tall snapping Kalinskaya’s seven-match successful streak to win her second profession title.

“It’s so particular—I’m actually blissful,” Paolini mentioned. “It was a extremely robust match. She’s enjoying unbelievable. She performed unbelievable all week.

“I’m actually blissful to return again it was actually robust. I attempted to remain targeted each level, to consider it, it went very well. I’m actually pleased with myself.”

Paolini’s title run was a prelude of optimistic issues to return: She went on to grow to be the primary lady since Serena Williams in 2016 to succeed in the Roland Garros and Wimbledon finals in same-season succession.