Victoria Azarenka rallies from 6-2, 5-2 down to beat Anhelina Kalinina in Dubai

But two seeded players fell on Day 2: No. 10 Daria Kasatkina lost to Sorana Cirstea and No. 13 Beatriz Haddad Maia was eliminated by Anastasia Potapova.

ByAssociated Press

Published Feb 17, 2025

MATCH POINT: Victoria Azarenka pulls off three-set comeback against Anhelina Kalinina in Dubai first round

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DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Former No. 1 Victoria Azarenka rallied from a set and a break down to beat Anhelina Kalinina 2-6, 7-6 (4), 6-4 Monday and reach the second round of the Dubai Open.

The 35-year-old Azarenka trailed 5-2 in the second set and was down 4-2 in the tiebreaker before winning the next five points.

She will face second-seeded Iga Swiatek, who had a bye into the second round.

Somehow, someway 💪

Victoria Azarenka was down a break in the second & third set but managed to defeat Anhelina Kalinina. #DDFTennis pic.twitter.com/vpIJX6h2IP
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) February 17, 2025

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No. 11-seeded Diana Shnaider ousted Magdalena Frech 6-2, 6-2 while No. 12 Mirra Andreeva beat Elina Avanesyan 6-2, 6-1 to set up a meeting with 2023 Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova.

Two seeded players were knocked out Monday as No. 10 Daria Kasatkina lost 6-1, 6-4 to Sorana Cirstea and No. 13 Beatriz Haddad Maia was eliminated by Anastasia Potapova, who won 6-3, 6-0.

Former Wimbledon and U.S. Open runner-up Ons Jabeur also went out, beaten 7-6 (6), 6-4 by American Peyton Stearns.