Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open, UAE 2026 - WTA 500

[MargaretMcAleer]

A bit of a speed checker awaits Clara in the semis - 20 year old Sarah Bejlek
View attachment 10566

I havent seen Bejlek play, have to tune into their SF match

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Q Hailey Baptiste wins 62 46 64 against Samsonova in their QF match
Its a double fault to end it, Hailey Baptiste has back to back Top 20 victories after taking out Emma Navarro yesterday. Her 5th Top 20 win of her career.

 

[britbox]

Abu Dhabi Quarter Final Highliughts

Summary:



Individual Matches:

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

WTA500 SFs,
E.Alexandrova (20) vs H.Baptiste Alexandrova leads their H2H 1-0 that match was in October 2024, Wuhan Open, Alexandrova won in SS

C.Tauson (3) vs S.Bejlek First meeting

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Okay I am tuning into Clara's match as I have not seen Bejlek play before

In the 1st SF Alexandrova defeated Baptiste in 3 sets 36 76(5) 63
Alexandrova will return to the Top Ten on Monday, she awaits the winner of Tauson/Bejlek

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Goodness me Sara is a little rocket only 5ft 3 and a lefty to boot
Clara had a break in the 1st set, broken and I thought it was going to a TB until Sara broke and won the 1st set 75

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Going 3 in the SF between Tauson v Bejlek as Clara comes back to win the 2nd set 63
Not good start for Clara as she just got broken in her 1st service game of the 3rd set, early days of course.
Back on serve in the 3rd set, 2 all

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

In a SF match that has had a few breaks of serve in the 3rd set
Sara is serving for the match 6-5 and a place in the final
Well done Sara!
Bejlek d Tauson (3) 75 36 75 and will play Alexandrova in the final

 

[Hoergren]

Clara fell with honour and as the only player giving the 20 year old a bit of resistance - could have been Clara winning but she was a bit unlucky but bravo Bejlek - exciting player to follow - go win the final too

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Clara fell with honour and as the only player giving the 20 year old a bit of resistance - could have been Clara winning but she was a bit unlucky but bravo Bejlek - exciting player to follow - go win the final tooView attachment 10568

5ft 3in Sara is a little rocket, you know who she reminds me of Dominika Cibulkova, though at least she dosent throw the ball as high as Domi did when she served, , at times I thought the ball would not come down at all, she threw it up soo high in the air

 

[britbox]

5ft 3in Sara is a little rocket, you know who she reminds me of Dominika Cibulkova, though at least she dosent throw the ball as high as Domi did when she served, , at times I thought the ball would not come down at all, she threw it up soo high in the air

I'll have to take note, as Cibulkova was one of my favourites. The Pocket Rocket!

 

[britbox]

Abu Dhabi Semis Video Highlights:



^ This is a semi despite the Video Thumbnail saying it's a Quarter.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Ladies Final,
7th February,

E.Alexandrova vs Q S.Bejlek. This is their first meeting

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Congratulations Q Sara Bejlek for winning WTA500 tournament , her first WTA title, defeating the No 2 seed Alexandrova 76(5) 61!
Sara reached a career high of No 75 in November 2025, Sara will blast past that into the Top 50 in the WTA rankings on Monday,

 

[britbox]

Final Highlights

 

[britbox]

Abu Dhabi Trophy Presentation

 

[britbox]

Q Sara Bejlek's speech



LEO AI Transcript Summary

• Congratulated her opponent Katcha (Ekaterina Alexandrova) on an amazing week and praised her and her team's performance
• Thanked tournament organizers including ball boys and girls, all organizations involved, and the tournament director
• Acknowledged the main sponsor Mubadala for making the tournament possible
• Thanked the support staff including the girls at the players' desk who were there throughout the week
• Expressed gratitude to Mercedes for supporting women's tennis in their first year of partnership
• Gave personal thanks to her team specifically mentioning two people who were with her during the week and supported her daily
• Thanked her fitness coach and physio along with their family for providing extra energy every day and being there with her throughout the tournament