Andreeva eyes back-to-back glory as top contenders advance in style at Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships 2026
Rybakina retires ill as Andreeva, Anisimova power into last eight
DUBAI – Defending champion Mirra Andreeva remains firmly on course to retain her title at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships after advancing to a high-quality quarterfinal line-up at the WTA 1000 event.
With nine seeded players in the Round of 16 and only two seed-versus-seed match-ups, the majority of favourites successfully negotiated Wednesday’s daylight action.
A total of five matches saw leading contenders tighten their grip on the tournament, setting up a compelling race for the trophy at the 26th edition of the championships, which runs until February 21.
Clinical progress
Second seed Amanda Anisimova, the World No. 6, required just 70 minutes to dispatch Indonesian wildcard Janice Tjen 6-1, 6-3 in her opening appearance of the week. The reigning Wimbledon champion had received a bye in the Round of 64 and then advanced via walkover in the Round of 32 following Barbora Krejcikova’s withdrawal through injury.
The well-rested American will now face fifth seed Andreeva in the last eight after the Russian overcame Romania’s Jaqueline Cristian 7-5, 6-3 on Centre Court.
Andreeva’s route has also been unusual. After benefiting from a first-round bye, she progressed to the Round of 32 when Daria Kasatkina withdrew, earning a walkover. Reflecting on the disruption, Andreeva said the additional practice time slightly affected her rhythm but expressed satisfaction with her focus against Cristian.
Now just three victories away from defending her Dubai crown, Andreeva could become the first player to claim back-to-back titles in the emirate since Elina Svitolina achieved the feat in 2018. The 17-year-old Russian spoke of her strong connection with the tournament and the motivation she draws from competing in Dubai.
Shock exit
Top seed Elena Rybakina’s campaign ended abruptly after the World No. 3 retired ill during her match against Croatia’s Antonia Ruzic. Rybakina had been tested early, with Ruzic breaking serve in the opening game of a fluctuating first set.
Despite losing the opener, Ruzic, ranked 64 places below her opponent, responded impressively to take the second set 6-4. Only moments into the deciding set, after Ruzic secured another break to move 1-0 ahead, Rybakina brought proceedings to a halt, ending her tournament.
Ruzic’s resilience was notable given she had already endured two demanding three-set matches across the previous two days.
Balanced clashes
On New Court 1, last year’s runner-up Clara Tauson continued her confident run with a 6-4, 6-2 victory over Magda Linette. The Dane had earlier eliminated eighth seed Ekaterina Alexandrova and will now face her third American opponent in four matches.
That opponent is fourth seed Jessica Pegula, who emerged from an all-American encounter against 16th seed Iva Jovic. After edging a competitive first set, Pegula asserted her experience to seal a 6-4, 6-2 win. Notably, both Pegula and Tauson have yet to drop a set in this year’s tournament, adding further intrigue to their quarterfinal meeting.
The Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships features 16 of the world’s top 20 players and 33 of the top 40, underlining the depth of the draw. Owned and organised by Dubai Duty Free and held under the patronage of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the tournament remains a cornerstone of the international calendar.
The women’s competition will be followed by the emirate’s annual ATP 500 men’s tournament from February 23 to 28.
Tickets across multiple categories remain available for the 2026 Championships, with prices starting from Dh65.