Australia champion Sabalenka ends Ostapenko's dream at Tennis Dubai

Sabalenka beat Ostapenko at the end of the round of 16 today. Cinematographer: Patrick Castillo

Australian Open champion and world number two Elena Sabalenka put an end to the ambitions of Latvian world number 20 Elena Ostapenko to continue defending her title last year at the Dubai Women's Tennis Championship, after the Belarusian's hard-fought victory today in two sets to one, at the end of the round of 16.

Sabalenka needed an hour and 42 minutes to eliminate Ostapenko, after a first set won by the Latvian (6-2), before the Belarusian was able to level the score by winning the second set (6-1), and repeating the matter by winning the third set (6-1) and the match.

Sabalenka aspires to her first title in "Tennis Dubai", and continue her brilliance for the current season, especially that her match against Ostapenko represented the 13th consecutive victory for the Belarusians in the 2023 season, including last month's coronation of the Australian Open, the first of the four Grand Slams of the season.