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The Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open continued to deliver high-quality tennis action as several top players from the WTA tour secured their spots in the quarterfinals at Zayed Sports City. The tournament, organized under the patronage of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, featured exciting singles and doubles matches that kept fans engaged throughout the day. In a highlight of the doubles competition, Filipino star Alex Eala and her partner Janise Tjin captured attention with a thrilling victory that extended to a decisive tiebreak.
In singles play, Liudmila Samsonova, who has claimed seven WTA tour titles, advanced to the next round after defeating Indonesian player Janise Tjin in straight sets. Meanwhile, Makartney Kessler eliminated Leylah Fernandez, the 2025 Mubadala Citi DC Open singles champion, in another notable upset at the Abu Dhabi tournament.
American Showdown at Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open
The evening session featured an all-American clash as Hailey Baptiste secured her quarterfinal berth with a victory over Emma Navarro. Following the match, Baptiste expressed her excitement about advancing and acknowledged the enthusiastic atmosphere. According to the player, some supporters had traveled from Washington DC specifically to watch the competition, which she described as a beautiful gesture of fan support.
Additionally, the doubles competition provided one of the day’s most entertaining spectacles when the ADCB Arena 1 filled with spectators. Alexandra Eala and Janise Tjin faced off against Leylah Fernandez and Kristina Mladenovic in a match that required a tiebreak to determine the winner. The Asian duo ultimately prevailed amid significant crowd engagement and support.
Player Community Engagement Activities
Beyond the competitive action, the tournament featured several community outreach initiatives that brought players closer to fans and students. Aliaksandra Sasnovich visited HealthPoint Hospital, where students received hands-on experience learning about sports physiotherapy. The visit included demonstrations of equipment used for treating and preventing sports injuries, providing valuable educational opportunities for aspiring sports medicine professionals.
The students also enjoyed a special meet-and-greet session, taking photographs with Sasnovich before heading to the main court to experience the tournament atmosphere firsthand. In contrast, Nadia Kichenok participated in a different type of community interaction by visiting the HealthPoint booth, where she took a health quiz focused on athlete injuries and signed autographs for fans.
Entertainment and Inclusive Sports Programs
The Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open demonstrated its commitment to inclusivity by hosting a one-hour training clinic in collaboration with Special Olympics. Furthermore, the tournament village offered various entertainment activities, including stilt-walking performances and live music that enhanced the overall fan experience throughout the venue.
However, the excitement extends beyond on-court action, as tournament director Nigel Gupta emphasized. According to Gupta, the day featured impressive attendance and exceptional atmosphere across all areas of the tournament site. He noted that fans have even more to anticipate, with defending champion Belinda Bencic scheduled to play her first match of this edition.
The tournament will continue with Alex Eala, who has garnered significant popularity among fans, competing for her own quarterfinal spot in the day’s final match. The combination of elite tennis competition and community engagement activities has established the event as a premier destination for WTA tour action in the region.
