SVITOLINA, RADUCANU WIN IN FIRST ROUND

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Two-time former champion Elina Svitolina routed last year's runner-up Anna Kalinskaya, 6-1, 6-2, in the first round of the Dubai Championships on Sunday (Monday in Manila).

Kalinskaya came through qualifying and beat three top-10 players in a row — including a stunning upset win against No. 1 Iga Swiatek — to reach last year's final.

But this time the Russian No. 15 seed's tournament lasted a little more than one hour against Svitolina. The 30-year-old Ukrainian won 75 percent of points on her first serve and clinically converted six of her seven break points.

Svitolina won the WTA 1000 tournament in 2017 — the year she reached a career-best ranking of third — and in 2018.

She will face either Rebecca Sramkova or Clara Tauson in the second round.

Former US Open champion Emma Raducanu ended a four-match losing streak by beating Maria Sakkari, 6-4, 6-2. The British player faces 14th-seeded Karolina Muchova in the second round.

2025-02-17T16:21:25Z