Elena Rybakina is set to take on Kimberly Birrell in the second round of the 2026 Dubai Tennis Championships, where both players are eager to make an impression on the prestigious WTA 1000 stage. The match will take place at the Aviation Club Tennis Centre in Dubai, UAE, on outdoor hard courts.
Rybakina, the reigning Australian Open champion, will be looking to bounce back after having her impressive winning streak halted in Doha, where she experienced only her second defeat in the last 18 matches during the quarterfinals. Despite this recent setback, it’s unlikely to shake her confidence as she prepares for her first challenge in Dubai against Birrell. The two players have met once before, with Rybakina winning in straight sets (6-3, 7-6) during their encounter at the BJK Cup last year.
Ranked third in the world, Rybakina is currently performing at a high level, while Birrell, ranked 94th, recently struggled to secure a win against in-form Tatjana Maria. Given the circumstances, many experts are predicting that Rybakina should emerge victorious, and a good bet could be on the total number of games in the match, with a suggested tip of under 18.5 games reflecting the expectations for this encounter.
Tennis enthusiasts can catch the action on various platforms, including Sky Sports Tennis in the UK and Tennis Channel in the USA, with online streaming available on Sky Go and the Tennis Channel’s website. For those interested in attending the match live, ticket information can be found through the official event link.
As the Dubai Tennis Championships delve deeper, all eyes will be on Rybakina as she seeks to reclaim her winning momentum and assert her dominance in the tournament.