Clara Tauson advanced to the round of 16 at the WTA 1000 tournament in Dubai with a convincing victory against Payton Stearns, winning 6-2, 6-4. This match not only secured her place in the next round but also served as a redemption for her earlier defeat to Stearns at the US Open in 2023.
Tauson began the match strongly, breaking Stearns, who entered the tournament as a “lucky loser,” early on and establishing an early 2-0 lead. Stearns, currently ranked 58th in the world, struggled to find her footing, and as Tauson maintained control with flawless service games, the first set slipped out of Stearns’ reach.
Despite some unforced errors, Tauson was able to keep her mistakes at bay compared to her opponent, making Stearns work hard for every point. In the second set, Stearns managed to equalize at 1-1 but soon required treatment for a sore shoulder, which reflected the toll of competing in four matches over just four days, including two intense three-set matches during qualifying.
Tauson capitalized on the opportunity, saving a break point before breaking Stearns again to take a crucial 3-2 lead. Her serve was particularly strong, as she delivered 11 aces during the match, bringing her total to an impressive 31 aces in just four sets after her previous win against Sofia Kenin.
As the defending finalist in Dubai, Tauson is under pressure to defend her ranking points, but her performance thus far suggests she is well-prepared to meet the challenge ahead. With a strong showing against Polands Magda Linette next, Tauson looks poised to continue her successful run in the tournament.