–

Two didn’t answer the bell for Thursday’s quarterfinals: Karolina Muchova against Jessica Pegula (abdominal) and Karolina Pliskova against Iga Swiatek (viral illness).

That left a couple of the semifinalists well-rested. But big picture, on the heels of Belinda Bencic in Doha and both semifinals in Adelaide before the Australian Open, it’s not a great look. And it didn’t help Pegula.

In Merida, the two top seeds fell in the quarterfinals – and send good thoughts to former US Open champion Sloane Stephens, who had two bagels dropped on her by Camila Giorgi.

(Dubai is nine hours ahead of ET, 12 hours ahead of PT; Merida is one hour behind)

*************************************

Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships
Dates: Feb. 19 – 25, 2023
Location: Dubai, UAE
Surface: Outdoor Hard (WTA 1000)
Prize money: $2,788,468
Draws: S56 – D28

Friday, Feb. 24, 2023
Final results

Singles, semifinals

Barbora Krejcikova (CZE) def [3] Jessica Pegula (USA) 61 57 60

[1] Iga Swiatek (POL) def [5] Coco Gauff (USA)  64 62

Doubles, semifinals

Veronika Kudermetova / Liudmila Samsonova (RUS) def. [2] Lyudmyla Kichenok (UKR) / Jelena Ostapenko (LAT) 75 62
Hao-Ching Chan / Latisha Chan (TPE) def [3] Desirae Krawczyk (USA) / Demi Schuurs (NED) 61 46 [10-4]

************************************* 

Merida Open Akron
Dates: Feb. 20 – 26, 2023
Location: Merida, Mexico
Surface: Outdoor Hard (WTA 250)
Prize money: $259,303
Draws: S32 – D16

Friday, Feb. 24, 2023
Final results

Singles, quarterfinals

[Q] Rebecca Peterson (SWE) def. [1] Magda Linette (POL) 62 64
Camila Giorgi (ITA) def [2] Sloane Stephens (USA) 60 60

[4] Katerina Siniakova (CZE) def. [7] Elisabetta Cocciaretto (ITA) 61 57 60

Caty McNally (USA) def. [Q] Kimberly Birrell (AUS) 64 63

Doubles, semifinal

Caty McNally (USA) / Diane Parry (FRA) def [WC] Despina Papamichail (GRE) / Simona Waltert (SUI) 64 76 (0)

About Post Author

Stephanie Myles

See author's posts