Ambitious Eagles steal the show in Dubai – News

Rybakina beats Swiatek in crucial women’s singles match

The Eagles celebrated with a check after winning the World Tennis League title in Dubai. — Photo by Neeraj Murali.

Thinking like a champion and playing like a champion helped Elena Rybakina effortlessly beat world No. 1 Iga Swiatek in a crucial women’s singles match that helped The Eagles beat the kites in the World Tennis Association (WTA). Saturday final.

The winner will receive one million dirhams as prize money.

Defending Wimbledon champion Rybakina clinched the Hawks’ opening singles with a 6-4 6-3 victory over Swatek in less than 70 minutes on a custom-made hard court at the packed Coca-Cola Arena.

However, Felix Auger-Aliassime restored the tie for the kite team with a 6-4 6-3 win over Olympic gold medalist Alexander Zverev in the men’s singles.

Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova and Dominic Thiem’s ​​success in Hawks’ 7-6 win over Sania Mirza and Holgloone hinges on mixed doubles

Despite the exhibition status of the World Tennis Federation, tennis fans have been treated to six days of high-level tennis from some of the world’s best tennis representatives, including 21-time Grand Slam winner Novak Djokovic Kovic, whose Falcons failed to reach the final.

Fans celebrate the Eagles win. — Photo by Neeraj Murali

In Saturday’s marquee competition, the level of competition in the women’s group was particularly eye-catching.

Swatek, a two-time Grand Slam winner in 2022, made no mistakes all week, beating Pavlyuchenkova (Hawks), Caroline Garcia (Hawks) 6-4 6-3 6- 3 6-4 and other opponents. and Aryna Sabalenka (Falcons) 6-1 6-3.

However, Swiatek was beaten by the Wimbledon champion on Saturday, especially in the second set, with the Polish genius winning just one game.

“I knew a lot of things depended on me, so I was fully prepared,” said Lebakina, who made history this year by becoming the first player from Kazakhstan to win a Grand Slam.

“I’m happy with my form this week because I stayed aggressive and took my chances, which is what I like to do. Obviously, Iga wasn’t at his best today so I was able to take advantage and play for my The team got off to a good start in the final.”

Rybakina, a former gymnast and ice skater in her youth, entertained tennis fans with some of her now-famous grand serves, which can hit 122 mph, with which she repeatedly hit world No. One brings trouble.

After Rybakina climbed to the top for the Eagles, it was the turn of thrilling Canadian Auger-Aliassime to lead the kite team back on track with an impressive performance against Djokovic’s conqueror “Sascha” Zverev.

Auger-Aliassime, who has a breakthrough 60 wins in 2022, a career high, with the help of coaches Toni Nadal and Frederic Fontang, has never been short of ideas as he uses variations of his serve and stroke to outwit Zverev, Tokyo Olympic gold medalist and former junior world number one.

“I feel good on the court,” said Auger-Aliassime, 22, who looks set to have a great season in 2023.

“I’m hitting the ball and moving really well. I feel 100 percent fit and my confidence level has never been higher.

“It’s a great way to end the year. It’s a great concept and a game that will definitely only grow and get better.”

Sania Mirza and Holger Rune, meanwhile, looked to be a favorite pair when they beat Paula Badosa and Grigor Dimitrov (Flacons) on Friday, fighting hard against Pavlyuchenkova and Thiem in two sets.

Eagles beat Kite 2-1 (32-25)

Elena Rybakina (Hawks) defeated Iga Swiatek (Kites) 6-3 6-1

Felix Auger-Aliassime (Kites) defeated Alexander Zverev (Eagles) 6-4 6-3 (WTA Points 16-19)

Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova/Dominic Thiem defeated Sania Mirza/Holger Rune 7-6 6-3