Arab star Ons Jabeur fights through pain, but comes up short against Peyton Stearns in Dubai

Arab star Ons Jabeur fights through pain, but comes up short against Peyton Stearns in Dubai
Ons Jabeur in action against Peyton Stearns during the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships 2025. (SUPPLIED)
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Updated 18 February 2025
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Arab star Ons Jabeur fights through pain, but comes up short against Peyton Stearns in Dubai

Arab star Ons Jabeur fights through pain, but comes up short against Peyton Stearns in Dubai
  • ‘I didn’t want to just retire,’ says Arab No. 1 Jabeur, who was appearing at Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships for first time since 2022, as emirate celebrates 25-year anniversary of its WTA event

DUBAI: Ons Jabeur let a lead slip and grimaced in pain as she crashed out of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships on Monday night, falling in the first round to American Peyton Stearns 6-7(6), 4-6 in front of a vocal Centre Court crowd.

The Tunisian, a former world No. 2 who became the first Arab to reach a Grand Slam final at Wimbledon three years ago, had been forced to miss the past two editions of the Dubai tournament through injury.

Yet she was determined to be a part of this year’s lineup, which marks the landmark 25th anniversary of the women’s event in the emirate.

Enjoying strong support inside the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium with a series of Tunisian flags dotted among the crowd, the three-time Grand Slam finalist raced into the lead, breaking Stearns in the American’s first service game.

Yet she was unable to capitalize and allowed her opponent — ranked 14 places below her at No. 46 — back into the tie after serving a double fault on a break point in the fourth game.

Jabeur even managed to break again and found herself serving for the first set, but failed to close it out, and throwing her racquet on the ground in anger.

During a tight tie-break, another double fault saw Jabeur hand Stearns the momentum at 5-6 and the American went on to convert her first set point to claim the opener.

“Peyton is a really good player,” Jabeur said. “We practice a lot together, more last year and the year before, but yeah, she’s a tough opponent.

“She has a lot to improve for sure, but I see her in a much better ranking than this. I wish her all the best for the future. She handled moments very well during the match and hope she can make it very far.”

Jabeur is a resident of Dubai and was one of the most popular players in a field stacked with 36 of the top 40 women this week.

Understandably then, despite calling a medical timeout to assess her left thigh, she was keen to battle on, saving three break points in the opening exchanges of the second set.

It was not enough though and despite showing the fight for which she has become renowned, her service was broken in the third game and Stearns held on to complete a straight sets win.

“It was pretty tough today,” admitted Jabeur, who arrived in Dubai after quarterfinal runs in both Abu Dhabi and Doha in the past fortnight.

“I wasn’t 100 percent, obviously. I didn’t think I had enough time to recover from both tournaments, but I was there, trying my best. I didn’t want to just retire. I wanted to try more and see how it went.”

On her thigh issue, she added: “It’s nothing really serious. I just wasn’t feeling 100 percent physically. I feel I’ve been tired; I haven’t been sleeping as well as I was hoping to be sleeping.

“It was difficult to really recover from Abu Dhabi, Doha, and now to come here. I felt it was like a long tour for me. I was hoping to really play good here, but unfortunately it wasn’t the case.”

For her part, Stearns — making only her second appearance in the emirate — stood up to the challenge when it mattered most to claim an 11th career win against a top-50 player.

She faces another tough test on Tuesday against No. 7 seed Zheng Qinwen of China.

“I’m super happy with myself that I stayed in the match,” said Stearns. “I fought hard, dug deep, and all that good stuff. Ons is a great player and also a great person. It’s never fun playing those kind of people, but I knew I would need to play well against her.”

Earlier in the day, No. 13 seed Beatriz Haddad Maia was eliminated by Anastasia Potapova 3-6, 0-6 before No. 10 seed Daria Kasatkina also lost 1-6, 6-4 to Romanian wildcard Sorana Cirstea.

Jelena Ostapenko — the winner here in 2022 — also slipped out in the first round, with Japanese qualifier Moyuka Uchijima claiming a memorable 6-3, 6-3 win.

Tuesday will have the eight top seeds get their Dubai 2025 campaigns underway, with all four of the world’s leading players in action on Centre Court.

Reigning Dubai champion Jasmine Paolini meets German qualifier Eva Lys in the day’s first match, before world No. 2 Iga Swiatek faces Victoria Azarenka, and No. 3 seed Coco Gauff takes on fellow American McCartney Kessler.

World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka will be in the last match of the day, when she meets 2022 finalist Veronika Kudermetova.

The 25th edition of the annual WTA 1000 event is running until Feb. 22, before the 33rd staging of Dubai’s ATP Tour 500 tournament from Feb. 24 to March 1.


Madison Keys suffers shock loss from Filipino wildcard at Miami Open

Madison Keys suffers shock loss from Filipino wildcard at Miami Open
Updated 24 March 2025
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Madison Keys suffers shock loss from Filipino wildcard at Miami Open

Madison Keys suffers shock loss from Filipino wildcard at Miami Open
  • Alexandra Eala becomes first woman from the Philippines to beat a top-10 opponent since the ranking system came into being in 1975
  • Russian Mirra Andreeva, coming off back-to-back WTA 1000 wins in Dubai and Indian Wells, also exited in the third round

MIAMI GARDENS, United States: Australian Open champion Madison Keys crashed out of the Miami Open on Sunday suffering a shock loss to 19-year-old Filipino wildcard Alexandra Eala.
Russian 17-year-old Mirra Andreeva, coming off back-to-back WTA 1000 wins in Dubai and Indian Wells, also exited in the third round, her 13 match wining streak ending with a three sets loss to American Amanda Anisimova.
The 6-4, 6-2 win for Eala over fifth-seeded American Keys prompted her to hug her team and celebrate passionately after she became the first woman from the Philippines to beat a top-10 opponent since the ranking system came into being in 1975.
Eala, the 2022 US Open girls’ singles champion who has been based to the Rafael Nadal academy in Mallorca since she was 13, will now take on Spain’s Paula Badosa for a spot in the quarterfinals.
“Growing up it was tough,” she said. “You didn’t have anyone from where you’re from to pave the way. Of course you had many people to look up to around the world, but I think — I hope this takes Filipino tennis to the next step,” Eala said in her on-court interview.
Keys, who was badly beaten by Aryna Sabalenka in the Indian Wells semifinals, conceded she was well short of her best form.
“My serve was not really there today and I just kind of felt a little flat — and when you are playing someone who makes a ton of balls back and absorbs really well, that’s not really the keys to success,” said the American.
Andreeva, the 11th seed, hoped to continue her rise up the rankings with a strong showing in Miami but appeared to be hampered by injury as she lost to 17th seeded Miami resident Anisimova.
Andreeva received lengthy medical attention in her abdominal area when 2-1 down in the first set, which she lost 7-6 (7/5).
She bounced back, dominating the second set 6-2 but Anisimova won the third set of the 2 hour and 49-minute battle 6-3.
Anisimova will face Emma Raducanu in the fourth round, after the British player advanced when her American opponent McCartney Kessler retired injured in the second set of their encounter.
Iga Swiatek overcame a determined Elize Mertens to secure a 7-6 (7/2), 6-1 victory and take her place in the last 16 at a WTA 1000 tournament for a record 25th straight event.
Second-seeded Swiatek has not lost before the last 16 at this level since Cincinnati 2021.
The Pole was 5-2 up in the first set but Mertens fought back to make it 5-5 before Swiatek was able to regain her dominance in the tie-break.
Swiatek didn’t look back from that point on, making short work of the second set as her struggles on serve improved.
In the men’s draw, Novak Djokovic broke the record for the most ATP Masters 1000 match wins with his 6-1 7-6 (7/1) win over Argentine Camilo Ugo Carabelli.
The Serb’s 411th win at this level takes him past the previous record set by Nadal.
Belgian veteran David Goffin, who eliminated world number three Carlos Alcaraz in the previous round, fell to American Brandon Nakashima, who won 6-3 6-7 (5/7) 6-3.
Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas, who won his first title in over a year last month at Dubai, fell to 24th-seeded American Sebastian Korda 7-6 (7/4), 6-3.
“It’s awesome. I was born in Florida. My whole family is here. It’s just a lot of fun to play here and get my first Top 10 win of the year,” said Korda.
“I tried to serve well, tried to come to the net when I could, and I’m just happy with my performance today,” he said.
Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov battled to a 6-7 (3/7), 6-4, 7-5 win over Karen Khachanov in a contest in which the baseline predictably dominated.
The 33-year-old’s victory, secured over two hours and 38 minutes, made Dimitrov the fourth active player to tally 100 Masters 1000 hard-court wins.
“It’s great. Last year I think I hit 100 wins indoors, now this. It’s beautiful I think every time you hit such a milestone,” said Dimitrov.
“We know each other very well, we practice with each other a lot, so there weren’t really secrets. At the end of the day, it came down to a few points.”
38-year-old Frenchman Gael Monfils delighted his supporters defeating Spaniard Jaume Munar 7-5, 5-7, 7-6 (7/1).


RFK Jr. and Djokovic share a passion for tennis along with their views about vaccines

RFK Jr. and Djokovic share a passion for tennis along with their views about vaccines
Updated 24 March 2025
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RFK Jr. and Djokovic share a passion for tennis along with their views about vaccines

RFK Jr. and Djokovic share a passion for tennis along with their views about vaccines

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Novak Djokovic apparently share a passion for tennis along with their beliefs about vaccines.
Kennedy, the nation’s top health official, posted a photo on X on Sunday of himself and Djokovic standing on a tennis court holding tennis rackets.
“Novak Djokovic. First in tennis. First in integrity. First in courage. Guess who won this match?” Kennedy captioned the post.
Djokovic is in Florida playing in the Miami Open tennis tournament. It was unclear when the photo was taken.
Kennedy, the secretary of Health and Human Services, rejected an “anti-vaccine” label earlier this year during his senate confirmation hearings but has since repeated his skeptical views of vaccines in interviews and other public statements.
Djokovic is the career leader in men’s tennis with 24 Grand Slam championships but missed chances to win more because a refusal to get vaccinated against COVID-19. He missed the Australian Open in 2022 after a protracted legal saga ended with his deportation from that country and he was not allowed to travel to the US to play in the US Open later that year.


Draper back down to earth, Zverev advances, in Miami

Draper back down to earth, Zverev advances, in Miami
Updated 23 March 2025
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Draper back down to earth, Zverev advances, in Miami

Draper back down to earth, Zverev advances, in Miami
  • Top seed Alexander Zverev eased into the third round with a 6-2 6-4 win over Britain’s Jacob Fearnley
  • In the women’s draw, top seed Aryna Sabalenka moved into the fourth round after Romanian opponent Elena-Gabriela Ruse had to retire after the Belarusian won the first set 6-1

MIAMI GARDENS, Florida: Britain’s Jack Draper, the winner at Indian Wells, came back down to earth with a bump on Saturday, beaten by 54th ranked Czech Jakub Mensik in his opening match at the Miami Open.

Draper moved into the top 10 of the world rankings for the first time in his career with his triumph over Holger Rune in the Indian Wells final last Sunday, having beaten Carlos Alcaraz in the last four.

But the 19-year old Mensik rose to the occasion, winning two tie-breaks to enjoy a 7-6 (7/2) 7-6 (7/3) win.

“It was tough, obviously I came up against someone today who was playing incredibly well,” said Draper.

“He served 10 out of 10, I couldn’t get a read or a look on his serve at all. There were some things I could do better and obviously a big change in surface from last week,” he said, noting he had struggled to adjust to the faster courts.

Rune was caught out, too, falling 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7/5) to American Reilly Opelka.

Top seed Alexander Zverev eased into the third round with a 6-2 6-4 win over Britain’s Jacob Fearnley.

Zverev’s title hopes received a boost on Friday when second-seed Carlos Alcaraz crashed out with a shock defeat to Belgian veteran David Goffin.

With no Jannik Sinner while the Italian serves a doping ban, the German Zverev’s main challenger, on paper, should be Novak Djokovic.

Zverev lost his opening game at Indian Wells but looked sharp on his debut on the South Florida stadium court.

“I’m generally happy with my level today,” said Zverev, a 2018 Miami finalist. “In Indian Wells it was very different, so I hope I can continue playing this way and have a great week here.”

The 27-year-old took 74 minutes to take care of business against Fearnley and said his extra time off as a result of his surprise defeat to Tallon Griekspoor had been valuable.

“Had two weeks time to practice and work on my game again and I did that — hopefully this is the first of many matches for me here,” he added.

There was an upset for 13th seeded American Ben Shelton, who was knocked out by 20-year-old wildcard Coleman Wong of Hong Kong.

Wong, 128th in the world, battled his way to a 7-6 (7/3) 2-6, 7-6 (7/5) victory despite letting a slip a 5-2 lead in the final set.

His victory provides him with a place in the third round of a Masters 1000 for the first time in his career.

“I always trust myself to play in these big stages... I had a tough time (during) the COVID times. I didn’t play for a year and a half and I’m really lucky my team keeps supporting me. I’m really happy and this is for you Hong Kong,” said Wong.

Brazilian 18-year-old Joao Fonseca delighted his large and loud group of supporters with another energetic display as he knocked out 19th seed Ugo Humbert 6-4, 6-3 and reach the third round at a Masters 1000 for the first time.

In the women’s draw, top seed Aryna Sabalenka moved into the fourth round after Romanian opponent Elena-Gabriela Ruse had to retire after the Belarusian won the first set 6-1.

Ruse received medical treatment on her right thigh but was unable to continue.

Third seed Coco Gauff progressed with a 6-2, 6-4 win over a struggling Maria Sakkari, who has slumped down the rankings from the top 10 to her current 51st.

Naomi Osaka met some determined resistance from American wild card Hailey Baptiste before emerging with a 7-6 (8/6), 3-6, 6-4 win.

“Today was an emotional day for me,” said Osaka. “I’m a little embarrassed for how much I threw my racquet, which is something that I don’t like to be known for.”

Ons Jabeur of Tunisia also retired allowing sixth-seed Jasmine Paolini to go through — the Italian was 4-3 and a break up in the first when Jabeur could no longer continue due to a left leg injury.


Struggling Medvedev suffers early exit in Miami

Struggling Medvedev suffers early exit in Miami
Updated 21 March 2025
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Struggling Medvedev suffers early exit in Miami

Struggling Medvedev suffers early exit in Miami
  • Medvedev hurling his racket on several occasions
  • The Russian made 32 unforced errors

MIAMI, United States: Daniil Medvedev crashed out of the Miami Open in the second round on Friday after suffering a 6-2, 6-3 upset defeat to Spain’s 56th-ranked Jaume Munar.
Medvedev, the 2023 winner in Miami, showed his frustration, hurling his racket on several occasions as the Mallorca-born 27-year-old picked up his third career win against a top 10 opponent.
The Russian made 32 unforced errors and although he gave himself a chance of a comeback in the final game, he couldn’t convert on two break points.
Karen Khachanov ensured the Nick Kyrgios comeback trail was cut short with a 7-6 (7/3), 6-0 win.
Australian Kyrgios, who has struggled since wrist surgery, defeated Mackenzie McDonald in the first round to earn his first tour-level win since October 2022 but was unable to overcome Khachanov, who reached the semis in Miami in 2023.
In the women’s draw, world number two Iga Swiatek advanced into the third round after surviving a second set dip to beat France’s Caroline Garcia 6-2, 7-5.
Swiatek had beaten Garcia with ease at the same stage at Indian Wells earlier this month but she faced a little more resistance at Hard Rock Stadium.
Swiatek was 3-1 down in the second set and had to save a set point, when serving at 5-4 down before rallying to win the last three games.
“My energy level got down really fast. So I tried to wake myself up, keep the intensity from the first set, follow through and go for it,” Swiatek said.
Swiatek lost to Mirra Andreeva in the semifinals at Indian Wells, with the 17-year-old Russian going on to win the title.
Andreeva is in action later on Friday when she takes on fellow-Russian Veronika Kudermetova.
In the men’s draw, fourth-seed Novak Djokovic faces Australian Rinky Hijikata while second-seed Carlos Alcaraz launches his bid against Belgian David Goffin.


Gauff and Sabalenka advance in Miami but Rybakina falls

Gauff and Sabalenka advance in Miami but Rybakina falls
Updated 21 March 2025
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Gauff and Sabalenka advance in Miami but Rybakina falls

Gauff and Sabalenka advance in Miami but Rybakina falls
  • Defending champion Danielle Collins survived some late nerves to get past Romanian Sorana Cirstea 6-4 7-6 (7/3) and book her place in the round of 32
  • Naomi Osaka, the 2022 Miami finalist, defeated 24th seed Liudmila Samsonova 6-2 6-4 to earn a meetup with American wildcard Halley Baptiste

MIAMI GARDENS: World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka and third-seeded Coco Gauff eased through their second round matches at the Miami Open on Thursday but seventh seed Elena Rybakina crashed out to American Ashlyn Krueger.

Sabalenka beat Bulgaria’s Viktoriya Tomova 6-3 6-0 in a contest which lasted just 58 minutes while Gauff made even shorter work of her match, beating 2020 Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin 6-0 6-0 in just 47 minutes.

For Sabalenka, who was beaten in the Indian Wells final by Russian 17-year-old Mirra Andreeva on Sunday, it was a comfortable start to her bid in South Florida.

“I’m super happy to get this win. A bit tricky with the conditions, and I didn’t have much time to adjust, so just happy with the performance today,” said the Belarussian, who said the contrast with conditions in California was striking.

“I feel like it’s a bit slower here, probably because of the balls, everything, it’s much heavier on the body.

“Then it was windy. It was a bit like different stadium. It’s just like everything new, and I had few days to adjust. That was a bit tricky, but I think I handled pretty well. So happy to get through,” she added.

Gauff, who has made a slow start to the season, said it had simply been a case of everything falling into place for her from the outset.

“I was definitely playing well today, and maybe she wasn’t playing her peak great tennis. I don’t think anyone who is playing their best tennis will have that scoreline today, so I’m not going to sit here and say she played her best tennis,” she said.

Gauff, who suffered a surprise exit to Belinda Bencic at Indian Wells last week, said she wasn’t trying to prove any point about her form.

“I know where I personally stand in my game. Yes, it’s not been up to my standards, but at the same time, you know, we are just March and our season ends in November. There is a lot of time to improve.

“Today I wasn’t going in with that in my mind. It just happened to be a great day for me,” she said.

Krueger, the 20-year-old Texan, claimed her first win over a top-10 opponent beating 2023 Miami Open finalist Rybakina 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 in 1 hour and 50 minutes.

The American, ranked 40th in the world, will face Canadian Leylah Fernandez in the next round.

Defending champion Danielle Collins survived some late nerves to get past Romanian Sorana Cirstea 6-4 7-6 (7/3) and book her place in the round of 32.

Naomi Osaka, the 2022 Miami finalist, defeated 24th seed Liudmila Samsonova 6-2 6-4 to earn a meetup with American wildcard Halley Baptiste.

Baptiste enjoyed an upset 3-6, 6-4, 7-5 win over 12th seeded Russian Daria Kasatkina.

In the men’s draw, exciting 18-year-old Brazilian talent Joao Fonseca enjoyed plenty of support from compatriots in the crowd in a 6-7 (1/7) 6-3, 6-4 win over Learner Tien.

With the Brazilian flags waving and football-style chanting, Fonseca’s big hitting proved too much for the 19-year-old Californian.

“I knew it was going to be a difficult match. I knew Learner was going to fight until the end, he’s a great fighter. He knows how to play, he’s very smart,” said Fonseca.

“So I needed to go until the end and I just went to it hard and the Brazilian crowd was with me today,” Fonseca said.

In an all-American clash, Reilly Opelka beat Christopher Eubanks 6-3 7-6 (7/4) to improve to 4-0 in their head-to-head record.

The tall Opelka won all 26 of his first-serve points in the second set and wrapped up the 85-minute win with an ace.