Paolini’s Dubai defence ends in tears as she injures right ankle in last 16 loss to Kenin

American wildcard Sofia Kenin won against Italian Jasmine Paolini, the No 4 seed, 6-4, 6-0 to advance to the quarter-finals of the Dubai Open at The Aviation Club Tennis Centre on Wednesday.

Paolini notably injured her right ankle in the opening game of the second set and couldn’t compete at a 100 percent henceforth as Kenin dished out a bagel to seal the last 16 battle.

The first saw a close fight, with the American’s sole break-point conversion in the fifth game proved consequential. In the following set, Paolini fought tears to stay afloat but Kenin converted three more break points to finish the cross line after an hour, three minutes.

The eventual winner recorded an impressive 79 percent success rate on second serve return, keeping her serve unchallenged throughout to end Paolini’s title defence in Dubai.

Kenin, ranked No 56, will face the winner of the match between Kazakh Elena Rybakina, the No 6 seed, and Spaniard Paula Badosa, the No 9 seed, next.

Ahead of her victory, the American beat Croat Donna Vekic, the No 16 seed (7-5, 6-3) and edged out Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk (5-7, 7-6 (7), 7-6 (5)).

Paolini, ranked No 4, won against German qualifier Eva Lys (6-2, 7-5) in the previous round of the Dubai tournament.

Dubai WTA 1000, other last 16 results (The Aviation Club Tennis Centre, hard, USD 3.664.963, most recent results first):

• Sorana Cirstea vs. Emma Navarro
• Aryna Sabalenka vs. Clara Tauson
• McCartney Kessler vs. Karolina Muchova
• Peyton Stearns vs. Mirra Andreeva
• Dayana Yastremska vs. Iga Swiatek
• Elena Rybakina vs. Paula Badosa
• Linda Noskova vs. Jessica Pegula

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