By Tony FairbairnAustralian Open champion Elena Rybakina leads the field as Mirra Andreeva looks to defend her title.Top Seeds: Elena Rybakina, Amanda Anisimova, Coco Gauff, Jessica PegulaBritish Interest: Emma RaducanuDUBAI, UAE – Elena Rybakina leads the field for the second WTA 1000 of the season in Dubai as Mirra Andreeva prepares to defend her title.

 

 

Best Result: Final (2020)

It was in Dubai where Rybakina made her breakthrough six years ago and now the Kazakh aims to win her first Dubai title as she is the top seed this week.

Rybakina’s Path to the Final (Ranking/Seeding)

R1: BYE | H2H: N/AR2: Tatjana Maria | H2H: Tied at 1-1R3: Karolina Muchova [15] | H2H: Muchova leads 2-1QF: Elina Svitolina [7] | H2H: Tied at 3-3SF: Coco Gauff [3] | H2H: Gauff leads 1-0F: Amanda Anisimova [2] | H2H: Rybakina leads 1-0

It’s a tough start to the tournament for Rybakina who could face the awkward game style of Tatjana Maria in the opening round. In the third round Doha finalist Karolina Muchova could await although Emma Raducanu and the in-form Elisabetta Cocciaretto may have something to say about that. A quarter-final with either Elina Svitolina or Belinda Bencic should test the Australian Open before the semi-final stage. If Rybakina passes the early stages of the tournament then she will be favourite to win the title in Dubai but the opening two rounds could prove to be a bigger threat than expected given the conditions and the form of some of those players.

 

Best Result: Second Round (2020, 2021, 2023)   

After failing to defend her title in Doha, Anisimova will hope to get back on track in Dubai and continue her progressive last 12 months.

Anisimova’s Path to the Final (Ranking/Seeding)

R1: BYE | H2H: N/AR2: Barbora Krejcikova | H2H: Krejcikova leads 1-0R3: Liudmila Samsonova [13] | H2H: Tied at 2-2QF: Mirra Andreeva [5] | H2H: Anisimova leads 1-0SF: Jessica Pegula [4] | H2H: Pegula leads 4-0F: Elena Rybakina [1] | H2H: Rybakina leads 1-0

A very testing opening round awaits Anisimova as she will have to battle past the experience of either Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova or Barbora Krejcikova. In the third round Anisimova could face Liudmila Samsonova or Leylah Fernandez while a potential quarter-final could await against either defending champion Mirra Andreeva or Doha finalist Victoria Mboko. Overall, this is a tough draw for Anisimova but if the backhand can fire accurately early on then the rest of the field could be in trouble in what will be a testing week for the American.

 

 

Best Result: Semi-Final (2023)  

Gauff will be hoping to get her year back on track after some poor defeats have started her year on a negative note.

Gauff’s Path to the Final (Ranking/Seeding)

R1: BYE | H2H: N/AR2: Jelena Ostapenko | H2H: Gauff leads 2-1R3: Emma Navarro [14] | H2H: Navarro leads 2-1QF: Jasmine Paolini [6] | H2H: Gauff leads 4-3SF: Elena Rybakina [1] | H2H: Gauff leads 1-0F: Amanda Anisimova [2] | H2H: Anisimova leads 2-1

A tough draw awaits Gauff as a first round match against either Jelena Ostapenko or Anna Kalinskaya is a brutal draw for the American. A third round contest against Emma Navarro could await although unlikely given Navarro’s form with a potential quarter-final against former champion Jasmine Paolini also in Gauff’s sights. Given conditions and form, an early exit could await Gauff but if the American can gain some confidence in the early rounds then anything is possible for the third seed.

 

Best Result: Semi-Final (2023)

An encouraging start to the year for Pegula has the American believing that she can break new ground in 2026.

Pegula’s Path to the Final (Ranking/Seeding)

R1: BYE | H2H: N/AR2: Varvara Gracheva [Q] | H2H: Pegula leads 1-0R3: Iva Jovic [16] | H2H: First MeetingQF: Ekaterina Alexandrova [8] | H2H: Tied at 3-3SF: Amanda Anisimova [2] | H2H: Pegula leads 4-0F: Elena Rybakina [1] | H2H: Rybakina leads 4-3

Pegula has a favourable draw although the rising talent of Iva Jovic is not one to be dismissed in the third round. A quarter-final against Ekaterina Alexandrova or last year’s finalist Clara Tauson could be challenging from a tactical perspective. Ultimately this is a big opportunity for Pegula to make a statement here and claim a rare WTA 1000 title. Will she take the opportunity?

WTA Dubai starts on Sunday 15th February and concludes on Saturday 21st February.

 

 

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