Paolini overcomes rain delay to kickstart Dubai title defence

Jasmine Paolini kickstarted her Dubai Tennis Championships title defence with a straight-sets win over Eva Lys. 

Paolini had a match point when rain stopped play in the Middle East.

But the Italian returned to the court over four hours later to claim the point she needed to earn a 6-2 7-5 victory. 

Though Paolini's momentum was interrupted, she remained focused, with Lys sending a forehand wide of the mark.

Paolini became only the second player since the tournament's inception in 2001 to win six or more consecutive matches after turning 28 in Dubai, since the event became a WTA-1000 tournament, after Venus Williams (2009-2015). 

6 - Jasmine Paolini is the second player since the tournament’s inception in 2001 to win 6+ consecutive matches after turning 28 in Dubai as a WTA-1000 event after Venus Williams (2009-2015). Experience.#DDFTennis | @DDFTennis @WTA @WTA_insider pic.twitter.com/8ZFG1zTHPA

— OptaAce (@OptaAce) February 18, 2025

Seeds Elena Rybakina and Paula Badosa also advanced on Tuesday and will face off in the round of 16.

Rybakina, runner-up to Simona Halep in Dubai in 2020, overcame qualifier Moyuka Uchijima, needing just one hour and 14 minutes to seal a 6-3 6-2 victory. 

In a dominant display, the world number seven served up seven aces to her opponent's three, while she also won 81% (22/26) of her first-serve points. 

Australian Open semi-finalist Badosa enjoyed a similarly comfortable win, brushing aside Elise Mertens 6-2 6-1.