Qinwen Zheng is set to continue her impressive return to professional tennis in Dubai, where she will face Peyton Stearns in the first round of the WTA 1000 tournament. The match will take place at the Aviation Club Tennis Centre on outdoor hard courts, providing a suitable surface for both players.
Zheng, the 2024 Olympic champion, is working her way back into form after undergoing surgery for an elbow injury. Having recently competed in Doha, where she displayed significant resilience by pushing past Sofia Kenin and Alycia Parks in consecutive three-set matches, Zheng also challenged Australian Open champion Elena Rybakina in a close contest during the round-of-16. Her performance in these matches has highlighted her determination and skill, suggesting she is ready to make a strong showing in Dubai.
On the other side of the net, Peyton Stearns enters the tournament as a lucky loser. She originally qualified for the main draw by defeating veteran Vera Zvonareva, but her subsequent loss to Elena-Gabriela Ruse in a competitive three-set match demonstrated the challenges she faces. Stearns has had some noteworthy successes this season, including victories over Sofia Kenin and Petra Marcinko en route to the third round of the Australian Open.
Despite her recent successes, Stearns will face a tough opponent in Zheng, who appears to be regaining her top form. Analysts predict that Zheng’s experience and skill level will enable her to overcome Stearns and advance to the second round of the tournament. Fans can catch the match on Sky Sports Tennis in the UK or on the Tennis Channel in the USA. For those interested in attending, ticket information is available through the tournament’s official link.
As both players look to establish momentum in their respective careers, this matchup promises to be an exciting start to the tournament in Dubai.