Clara Tauson has made a fantastic start at the Abu Dhabi Open, dominating Switzerland’s Simona Waltert with a decisive 6-3, 6-1 victory, which propels her into the next round of the tournament. Tauson, who was the runner-up in this event last year, now looks to build on that performance as she sets her sights on the quarter-finals as the third seed.
The 23-year-old Dane faced Waltert in her opening match on Tuesday, where she initially struggled to find her rhythm, losing her first two service games. However, Waltert’s inconsistent serve provided Tauson with the opportunity to regain her composure. Once settled, Tauson quickly turned the tide, capitalizing on her opponent’s weaknesses and displaying her aggressive playstyle to secure the first set 6-3.
In the second set, Tauson’s performance improved significantly. Despite some lapses in her game, she maintained control over the match, demonstrating her strength and skill, eventually allowing her to claim a straightforward victory in just under 70 minutes.
Looking ahead, Tauson is set to face McCartney Kessler, a 26-year-old American ranked 32nd globally. Kessler has previously won their only encounter in 2023, promising a challenging match for Tauson as she aims to advance further in the tournament.
With her solid performance in the opening match, Tauson appears poised and ready to make a strong run at the title in Abu Dhabi, hoping to improve upon her performance from last year.