The 2025 Dubai Championships is set to deliver another thrilling WTA 1000 event, and if the draw is anything to go by, the top-seeded players are in for a rough ride.
After a dramatic week at the Qatar Open, where major upsets rocked the tournament, the Dubai draw has done no favors for Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek, and Coco Gauff.
Meanwhile, some lower-seeded players, like Jasmine Paolini, may have breathed a sigh of relief.
Let’s break down the key matchups and biggest storylines ahead of the high-stakes showdown in Dubai.
Sabalenka Faces a Potential Déjà Vu Disaster
Aryna Sabalenka [1] suffered a shocking first-round loss in Doha to Ekaterina Alexandrova—and she might have to face her again immediately in Dubai.
If Alexandrova defeats a qualifier in the first round, she’ll meet Sabalenka in the second round, setting up a rematch that the Belarusian would rather avoid.
After crashing out early in Doha, Sabalenka must find her form quickly, or she risks another early exit at a crucial WTA 1000 event.
Swiatek’s Road to Redemption Starts with a Brutal Test
Iga Swiatek [2] didn’t have an easy week in Doha, and things won’t get any easier in Dubai.
The four-time Grand Slam champion will meet the winner of Victoria Azarenka vs. Anhelina Kalinina.
Azarenka, a former World No. 1, is a dangerous early-round opponent, while Kalinina is a tough competitor with a strong all-around game.
For Swiatek, who lost her cool in Doha after an upset loss to Jelena Ostapenko, Dubai is a chance to reset and reassert her dominance—but it won’t be easy.
Gauff’s Path to the Title Starts with a Familiar Face
Coco Gauff [3] has been one of the most consistent players on tour, but her second-round opponent in Dubai will be a major threat.
She’ll face the winner of McCartney Kessler vs. Amanda Anisimova—and if Anisimova advances, it’s a blockbuster all-American showdown.
Anisimova just reached the final in Doha, proving she’s in red-hot form and ready to make a deep run in Dubai.
For Gauff, this is one of the worst early matchups she could have drawn.
Jasmine Paolini: The Lucky Winner of the Draw?
While Sabalenka, Swiatek, and Gauff got no favors from the draw, Jasmine Paolini [4] might be celebrating her fortune.
Her second-round opponent will be a qualifier, making her path to the third round much smoother than most top seeds.
With an easier draw, Paolini has a golden opportunity to make a deep run in Dubai.
Other Must-Watch Early-Round Battles
🔥 Elena Rybakina [6] vs. Jelena Ostapenko (potential second-round match)
- Ostapenko stunned Swiatek in Doha, proving she’s capable of taking down the best.
- Rybakina has been one of the top hardcourt players, but she’ll have to be at her best to get past Ostapenko early.
🔥 Qinwen Zheng [7] vs. Ons Jabeur (potential second-round match)
- Jabeur will be playing in front of an electric Middle Eastern crowd, making this a high-pressure match for Zheng.
🔥 Emma Navarro [8] vs. Belinda Bencic (potential second-round match)
- Bencic recently won the Abu Dhabi Open, showing she’s in top form.
- Navarro has had a strong rise, but this is a major test.
Full 2025 Dubai Championships WTA Draw: First-Round Matchups
Player 1 | Player 2 |
---|---|
Aryna Sabalenka [1] | BYE |
Ekaterina Alexandrova | Qualifier |
Rebecca Sramkova | Clara Tauson |
Elina Svitolina | Anna Kalinskaya [15] |
Diana Shnaider [11] | Magdalena Frech |
Linda Noskova | Yulia Putintseva |
Liudmila Samsonova | Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova |
BYE | Jessica Pegula [5] |
Coco Gauff [3] | BYE |
McCartney Kessler | Amanda Anisimova |
Maria Sakkari | Emma Raducanu |
Qualifier | Karolina Muchova [14] |
Daria Kasatkina [10] | Sorana Cirstea |
Qualifier | Xinyu Wang |
Belinda Bencic | Qualifier |
BYE | Emma Navarro [8] |
Elena Rybakina [6] | BYE |
Qualifier | Jelena Ostapenko |
Elise Mertens | Leylah Fernandez |
Lulu Sun | Paula Badosa [9] |
Donna Vekic [16] | Sofia Kenin |
Qualifier | Marta Kostyuk |
Qualifier | Qualifier |
BYE | Jasmine Paolini [4] |
Qinwen Zheng [7] | BYE |
Ons Jabeur | Peyton Stearns |
Marketa Vondrousova | Caroline Garcia |
Elina Avanesyan | Mirra Andreeva [12] |
Beatriz Haddad Maia [13] | Anastasia Potapova |
Magda Linette | Dayana Yastremska |
Victoria Azarenka | Anhelina Kalinina |
BYE | Iga Swiatek [2] |
Final Thoughts: The Dubai Championships Promise Fireworks
The 2025 Dubai Championships draw has set the stage for one of the most competitive WTA 1000 tournaments of the season.
🚨 Sabalenka must overcome a potential rematch with Alexandrova after her Doha upset.
🚨 Swiatek faces a tough early test against either Azarenka or Kalinina.
🚨 Gauff could meet a surging Anisimova in a high-profile all-American battle.
🚨 Paolini has a smooth early path, but Rybakina, Ostapenko, and Zheng face brutal second-round matchups.
With huge potential upsets looming early, Dubai is set to deliver a week of must-watch tennis.
Who will survive this brutal draw? We’ll find out soon.