WTA 1000 Finals in Dubai: Where to watch Svetolina vs. Bencic

On February 18, Ukrainian tennis player Elina Svitolina (WTA No. 9) will play against Swiss Belinda Bencic (WTA No. 13) in the round of 16 of the WTA 1000 hard court tournament in Dubai, UAE. The match is scheduled to begin at 2:00 PM Kyiv time.

Elina Svitolina

The Ukrainian started the season confidently, winning the title in Auckland and reaching the semifinals of the first major of the year. In Dubai, Svitolina started in the second round, where she defeated Spain’s Paula Badosa . The Ukrainian was playing a set in which she trailed 1-4 and 15-40 on her serve, but managed to win it 6-4. In the second set, Badosa didn’t extend the match, allowing Svitolina to advance to the next round. Overall, Svitolina won 12 of 14 matches this season, finishing fifth in the championship race.

Belinda Bencic

An experienced Swiss player who has battled injuries but holds the Olympic title, Bencic won eight of nine matches this season, including at the United Cup, defeating Jeanjean, Paolina, Sierra, Mertens, and Swiatek. At the Australian Open, the Swiss lost in the second round, but in Dubai, she began the tournament with a victory over Spaniard Jessica Bouzas Maneiro (2-6, 6-1, 6-2). Bencic advanced to the second round without a fight due to the withdrawal of Czech Sarah Bejlek.

Personal meetings

Svitolina leads their head-to-head matches 3-2. The two athletes last met at the Miami tournament last year, when the Ukrainian won convincingly, 6-1, 6-2.

The WTA 1000 tournament in Dubai runs until February 22. The decisive matches, including Svetolina’s performance, will be broadcast on the Setanta Sports OTT platform, as well as on Setanta Sports+ and Setanta Sports Premium.

Earlier, Elina Svitolina reached the 1/8 finals of the WTA 1000 in Dubai.