Kim Clijsters Faces Tough Challenge on Her Return in Dubai

Feb 15, 2020 | 6:23 AM EST

Kim Clijsters Faces Tough Challenge on Her Return in Dubai

Feb 15, 2020 | 6:23 AM EST

On the courts of UAE, from Monday, the top-notch WTA ladies will be seen in action. The tournament will be accompanied by the comeback of the four-time Grand Slam champion Kim Clijsters. She last played at US Open 2012 and after seven years she’ll once again slam the ball on the professional court.

First-round in Dubai: Kim Clijsters vs Kiki Bertens

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With the Dubai Tennis Championships unveiling its draw, the Belgian tennis icon Clijsters has been drawn to open against World Number eight Kiki Bertens.

The Dutch professional Bertens claimed her first Premier Mandatory title in Madrid last year, by defeating Simona Halep in the finals. Also her recent run to the quarters of Brisbane, fourth-round of Australian Open and semifinals of St Petersburg will uplift her morale in Dubai.

The Belgian might have to take the extra mile in the opening round against Bertens. Belgian tennis fans are excited to see Kim Clijsters once again on the professional tour.

When Clijsters landed in Dubai, a bunch of Belgians gave her a warm welcome at the airport. They were glad to see her once again as a tennis professional.

Other interesting match-ups in Dubai

Meanwhile, speaking about the other first-round clashes in Dubai, Garbine Muguruza and Elina Svitolina set up a pop-corn opening in UAE. Recently in Melbourne, Muguruza destroyed the two-time champion in Dubai Svitolina in straight sets.

The Spaniard’s revived tennis would be a challenging test for the third-seeded Ukrainian Svitolina.

The Greek Maria Sakkari will open against Aryna Sabalenka, and Sakkari recently dispatched Belinda Bencic in St. Petersburg.

The top-seed Simona Halep and second seed Karolina Pliskova will open against qualifiers. In the quarters, Halep is projected to meet Sabalenka and Pliskova might set up the battle against the reigning Aussie Open champion Sofia Kenin.

World Number one Ashleigh Barty withdrew from the tournament due to a right foot injury.

Written by

Mahalakshmi Murali

1,908 Articles

Mahalakshmi Murali joined EssentiallySports in 2018 as a tennis author and has gone on to pen more than 1800 engaging articles, probing into various aspects of the sport and its illustrious players. With her expertise on the sport, Mahalakshmi has interviewed stalwarts from the sport such as Serena WIlliams’ coach Patrick Mouratoglou and Kevin Anderson’s physio, Carlos Costa. Equipped with her vast experience and a keen understanding of the sport, Mahalakshmi now co-heads the tennis department. Unsurprisingly, she enjoys watching the ever elegant and graceful Roger Federer more than anybody.

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