Iga Świątek Defeats Sabalenka in Straight Sets to Win Dubai Tennis Championships

Iga Świątek continued her dominant start to the 2026 season with a commanding 6-3, 6-1 victory over Aryna Sabalenka in the final of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships today. The world number one from Poland captured her 20th WTA title and third consecutive tournament victory this year, cementing her status as the player to beat ahead of the upcoming hard court swing in the United States.

Świątek was at her clinical best against the Belarusian challenger, winning 79% of her first serve points while converting five of seven break point opportunities. The 24-year-old Polish star dominated from the baseline with her trademark forehand, repeatedly finding angles that left Sabalenka scrambling to stay competitive. "I felt really confident with my game plan today," Świątek said during the trophy ceremony. "Aryna is such a tough competitor, but I managed to execute exactly what my coach and I discussed. This title gives me great momentum heading into Indian Wells."

Sabalenka, who entered the final having won 12 of her previous 13 matches, struggled to find her rhythm against Świątek's relentless pressure and court coverage. The former world number two, known for her powerful groundstrokes, committed 31 unforced errors compared to just 15 from Świątek. Despite the lopsided scoreline, Sabalenka remained optimistic about her form entering the crucial American hard court season. "Iga played an exceptional match today, and I have to give her credit," Sabalenka acknowledged. "I'll learn from this and come back stronger in the coming weeks."

The victory marked Świątek's first Dubai title and extended her winning streak to 18 matches dating back to her triumph at the WTA Finals in November. Her impressive run this season includes titles in Adelaide and Doha, establishing her as the clear favorite for the upcoming Indian Wells Masters, where she was runner-up last year. The Polish star has now won 20 WTA titles at the age of 24, placing her among the most successful active players on tour.

Świątek's dominance in Dubai was particularly impressive given the quality of the field, which included former world number ones and multiple Grand Slam champions. Her path to the title included victories over Jessica Pegula, Coco Gauff, and Elena Rybakina, demonstrating her ability to raise her level against elite competition. The manner of her final victory—dropping just four games—served notice to her rivals that she remains the standard-bearer in women's tennis.

With the Dubai title secured, Świątek will now turn her attention to the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells, which begins next week. The Polish star is defending semifinal points from last year and will be the overwhelming favorite to claim her first Indian Wells title. Her current form suggests she could be poised for another dominant season, having already established herself as the player with the most consistent results on tour. As the WTA tour heads to its traditional spring showcase in California, Świątek's confidence and momentum make her the clear target for every player hoping to make their mark during the prestigious hard court swing that serves as preparation for the French Open, where she has won three of the last four titles.