Aryna Sabalenka Defeats Qinwen Zheng 6-3, 6-2 to Win Dubai Tennis Championships

Aryna Sabalenka continued her exceptional start to the 2026 season on Tuesday, defeating rising Chinese star Qinwen Zheng 6-3, 6-2 in the Dubai Tennis Championships final to claim her second WTA 1000 title of the year and further establish herself as the most consistent player on the women's tour.

The 25-year-old Belarusian was in complete control from the opening game, using her trademark power and improved court positioning to dictate play against the 21-year-old Zheng. Sabalenka's serve was particularly impressive, firing 8 aces and winning 85% of her first serve points while never facing a break point throughout the 73-minute encounter.

"I'm really happy with how I played this week," Sabalenka said during the trophy ceremony. "Qinwen is such a talented player and the future of tennis, but today I felt like everything was clicking. My serve was working perfectly, and I was able to stay aggressive while keeping my errors low. This gives me great confidence heading into Indian Wells and Miami."

Zheng, despite the lopsided scoreline, showed glimpses of the talent that has made her one of tennis's most promising young players. The Chinese star reached the final by defeating several top-10 players, including a stunning semifinal victory over former world No. 1 Karolina Pliskova, but struggled to match Sabalenka's consistent power and tactical precision.

Sabalenka's victory was built on her aggressive return game and ability to create angles that consistently pulled Zheng out of position. The former world No. 1 broke serve four times while committing just 12 unforced errors, a remarkable display of controlled aggression that has become her trademark in recent months.

The Dubai triumph represents Sabalenka's 15th WTA title and her fourth at the 1000 level, positioning her as the clear favorite for the upcoming Masters 1000 events in North America. Her exceptional form through the first two months of 2026 suggests she may finally be ready to reclaim the world No. 1 ranking and establish herself as the dominant force in women's tennis. With her combination of power, improved consistency, and growing tactical awareness, Sabalenka appears poised for what could be her most successful season to date.