Aryna Sabalenka Captures Dubai Championships Title in Straight Sets

Aryna Sabalenka continued her exceptional start to the 2026 season by claiming the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships title on Sunday, defeating Elena Rybakina 6-3, 6-2 in a dominant final performance. The victory marks Sabalenka's second WTA title of the year and her 15th career singles championship.

The Belarusian showcased the aggressive baseline game that has made her one of the most feared competitors on tour, breaking Rybakina's serve four times while dropping her own service game just once. Sabalenka's powerful forehand and improved consistency proved too much for the Kazakh player, who struggled to find her rhythm in the desert heat.

"I've been working really hard on staying composed in big moments," Sabalenka said during the trophy ceremony. "Last year I learned so much about managing pressure, and I feel like I'm reaping the benefits now. Elena is such a tough competitor, so I'm really proud of how I played today." The 25-year-old looked relaxed and confident throughout the match, a stark contrast to some of her earlier struggles with mental pressure.

Rybakina, who was seeking her first title since Wimbledon 2023, started strongly but couldn't maintain her level against Sabalenka's relentless power. The 2022 Wimbledon champion managed to save three match points in the eighth game of the second set but ultimately succumbed when Sabalenka converted her fourth opportunity with a blistering forehand winner down the line.

"Aryna played incredibly well today," Rybakina graciously acknowledged. "She was hitting the ball so cleanly and didn't give me many opportunities. I'll take the positives from this week and keep building toward the bigger tournaments coming up." Despite the loss, Rybakina's run to the final demonstrates her continued progress since returning to full fitness.

The victory propels Sabalenka to her highest prize money total for a Dubai campaign and strengthens her position as the world No. 2 behind current leader Iga Swiatek. With the tennis season heating up ahead of the upcoming hard court swing, Sabalenka's form suggests she will be a major factor in all the premier events. Her next challenge will be defending her points at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, where she reached the semifinals last year.