Confidence and momentum can be powerful forces in tennis and Aryna Sabalenka has both in droves. The Belarusian extended her winning streak to 15 matches on Wednesday when she won the Abu Dhabi WTA Women's Tennis Open title – her third tournament triumph in a row, stretching back to the end of last season.
It's not only that Sabalenka is winning so many matches but doing so emphatically. Since embarking on the longest unbeaten run of her career, the 22-year-old has lost just four sets.
As such, Veronika Kudermetova – competing in her first ever WTA final – was given little chance of halting the Sabalenka stampede and the contest at the Zayed Sports City International Tennis Centre went pretty much as expected.
The fourth seed needed just one hour and five minutes to wrap up a 6-2, 6-2 victory, and while Kudermetova had her moments – most notably twice breaking the Sabalenka serve in the second set – it was about as convincing a performance as any WTA final will witness this season.
"I am really proud that I was fighting no matter what," Sabalenka said as she reflected on her week in Abu Dhabi. "Some matches I didn’t feel my serve, some matches I didn’t feel my backhand or forehand, but I told myself to keep fighting and I’m really happy with this title."
From the capital, Sabalenka will make her way to Melbourne where she will be one of the favourites for next month's Australian Open.
For a player with nine WTA titles already in her short career, and now up to a career-high No 7 in the world rankings, a Grand Slam breakthrough is the one thing still missing, with a fourth round at the 2018 US Open her best effort so far.
Sabalenka has been quick to downplay her Australian Open chances all week, and she struck a similar tone following her final victory.
"I came here to play matches after one month of preparations and I played six matches, so it was great that I could play that many and win this title," she said. "I’m going to Australia confident that I will do everything I can to win matches and that is the only confidence I have right now."
Before all of that, though, a two-week quarantine period awaits Sabalenka on arrival. During that time, she will be allowed out of her room within the Melbourne Park bubble for five hours each day to practice. Despite Sabalenka's fine form that has shown few weaknesses in her game, the new champion insists there is still plenty of work to be done.
"I will have a few days to recover from this week and then I will keep improving my game and working on some things," she said. "There’s always something to improve. When you stop working to improve then you will start losing."
As for Kudermetova, her week may have ended in a one-sided defeat but the rest of her tournament should be considered an unbridled success.
Ranked world No 46 ahead of Abu Dhabi, the Russian will climb to her own career-high spot of 36, which puts her right in contention for one of the 32 seeded places at the Australian Open with another warm-up event still to play.
With wins this past week over world No 23 Annet Kontaveit and, more significantly, world No 5 Elina Svitolina, Kudermetova has plenty reason to be satisfied with her campaign.
"I’m still staying positive, it’s the first week and my first final so it’s a great feeling and now I have good confidence," she said. "I beat good players here in Abu Dhabi and I feel good before Australia."
Ultimately, Sabalenka proved a challenge too far, but that has become an increasingly common theme on the WTA Tour.
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
How does ToTok work?
The calling app is available to download on Google Play and Apple App Store
To successfully install ToTok, users are asked to enter their phone number and then create a nickname.
The app then gives users the option add their existing phone contacts, allowing them to immediately contact people also using the application by video or voice call or via message.
Users can also invite other contacts to download ToTok to allow them to make contact through the app.
Meatless Days
Sara Suleri, with an introduction by Kamila Shamsie
Penguin
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Mamo Year it started: 2019 Founders: Imad Gharazeddine, Asim Janjua Based: Dubai, UAE Number of employees: 28 Sector: Financial services Investment: $9.5m Funding stage: Pre-Series A Investors: Global Ventures, GFC, 4DX Ventures, AlRajhi Partners, Olive Tree Capital, and prominent Silicon Valley investors. Engine: 3.5-litre V6
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 290hp
Torque: 340Nm
Price: Dh155,800
On sale: now
MATCH INFO
Barcelona 2
Suarez (10'), Messi (52')
Real Madrid 2
Ronaldo (14'), Bale (72')
Jebel Ali Dragons 26 Bahrain 23
Dragons
Tries: Hayes, Richards, Cooper
Cons: Love
Pens: Love 3
Bahrain
Tries: Kenny, Crombie, Tantoh
Cons: Phillips
Pens: Phillips 2
The specs
Common to all models unless otherwise stated
Engine: 4-cylinder 2-litre T-GDi
0-100kph: 5.3 seconds (Elantra); 5.5 seconds (Kona); 6.1 seconds (Veloster)
Power: 276hp
Torque: 392Nm
Transmission: 6-Speed Manual/ 8-Speed Dual Clutch FWD
Price: TBC
How do Sim card scams work?
Sim swap frauds are a form of identity theft.
They involve criminals conning mobile phone operators into issuing them with replacement Sim cards by claiming to be the victim, often pretending their phone has been lost or stolen in order to secure a new Sim.
They use the victim's personal details - obtained through criminal methods - to convince such companies of their identity.
The criminal can then access any online service that requires security codes to be sent to a user's mobile phone, such as banking services.
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
THE BIO
Favourite book: ‘Purpose Driven Life’ by Rick Warren
Favourite travel destination: Switzerland
Hobbies: Travelling and following motivational speeches and speakers
Favourite place in UAE: Dubai Museum
PSA DUBAI WORLD SERIES FINALS LINE-UP
Men’s:
Mohamed El Shorbagy (EGY)
Ali Farag (EGY)
Simon Rosner (GER)
Tarek Momen (EGY)
Miguel Angel Rodriguez (COL)
Gregory Gaultier (FRA)
Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY)
Nick Matthew (ENG)
Women's:
Nour El Sherbini (EGY)
Raneem El Welily (EGY)
Nour El Tayeb (EGY)
Laura Massaro (ENG)
Joelle King (NZE)
Camille Serme (FRA)
Nouran Gohar (EGY)
Sarah-Jane Perry (ENG)
