World number one Iga Swiatek swept past Liudmila Samsonova 6-1, 6-0 in the last 16 of the Dubai WTA tournament yesterday, and was then handed a walkover into the semi-finals when scheduled quarter-final opponent Karolina Pliskova pulled out with an injury.
Swiatek was to have faced former Dubai finalist Pliskova in today’s quarter-finals but the Czech said a virus would force her withdrawal.
Pliskova had booked her last-eight spot with a 7-5, 6-7 (6/8), 6-2 victory over Ukraine’s Anhelina Kalinina.
Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka made it 13 wins in 13 matches in 2023 by dethroning defending champion Jelena Ostapenko 2-6, 6-1, 6-1.
Coco Gauff and Madison Keys will meet in an all-American quarter-final. Fifth-seeded Gauff advanced when Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina withdrew from their last 16 clash due to a lower back injury. Keys booked her quarter-final spot with a 6-2, 6-1 win over former world number one Victoria Azarenka in just 57 minutes.
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