Clara Tauson will face McCartney Kessler in the quarterfinals of the 2026 Abu Dhabi Open on February 5, 2026. Tauson, the third seed, received a bye to the quarterfinals and secured her spot by defeating qualifier Simona Waltert in straight sets. Kessler has had an impressive run, advancing through the tournament with straight-set victories over top competitors, including Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova and the sixth seed Leylah Fernandez.
Currently ranked No. 16, Tauson has displayed mixed recent form. She faced an early exit in Melbourne and retired in Adelaide, raising concerns about her durability. On the positive side, her performance in 2025 highlighted her powerful serving capabilities, with a strong ace count (358 aces from 67 matches) and a solid first-serve win rate of 68.4%. However, her return game shows some variability, indicated by a 39.4% return percentage. On hard courts, where aggressive play is crucial, she can dominate, particularly in serve-heavy matchups.
Kessler, ranked No. 32, comes into the match with more consistent game time and recent wins over higher-seeded players, which boosts her confidence. Her statistics reveal a balanced playing style with fewer aces (105) but a stronger return efficiency of 44.8% and a break conversion rate of 40.9%. This superior return game may be critical against Tauson’s serve-oriented approach, creating an exciting dynamic for the upcoming match.
For those interested in betting, the odds favor a competitive match, with Tauson slightly ahead. A recommended bet is on the total sets to exceed 2.5 (+142 at FanDuel), reflecting the potential for a tightly contested match. Both players are in positions to capitalize on each other’s weaknesses, which adds to the match’s volatility.
Kessler leads their head-to-head record 1-0, after defeating Tauson in their previous encounter in 2023. As they prepare to meet again, many fans will be eager to see if Tauson can overcome her past loss and her recent injury concerns.
Fans can catch the action at the Zayed Sports City International Tennis Centre, with coverage available on Sony Sports (India), Tennis Channel (US), and various streaming platforms. This match promises to be a thrilling showdown in the 2026 Abu Dhabi Open, with both players eager to secure a spot in the semifinals.