Dominika Cibulkova beat Karolina Pliskova 7-5, 6-3 on Saturday to claim her first career title on grass at the WTA Eastbourne event and give herself a boost ahead of Wimbledon.
The Slovak 12th seed was competing in her fourth final of 2016 and now owns two trophies since April after her victory in just over 90 minutes over the Czech 10th seed.
Former Australian Open finalist Cibulkova will move back to 18th in the rankings as she continues to recover from the Achilles ankle surgery she underwent in 2015.
“I’m so happy, I cannot believe that it happened today. I played well in difficult (windy) conditions for both of us,” said Cibulkova.
“This is a very happy time, I won my first title on grass. This is my best week ever on grass.”
The 5ft 3in (1.61m) player added the pre-Wimbledon showpiece to her trophy from two months ago when she won in Katowice, Poland.
The Slovak now holds six career trophies – all but Eastbourne won on hardcourt or indoor hardcourt.
Cibulkova improved her record over Pliskova to 2-0 after a 2014 win in the Kuala Lumpur semi-finals.
Cibulkova took the sting out of the imposing Pliskova serve, holding the woman who has led the WTA for the last three seasons with at least 500 aces, to just four in a match lasting almost one and three-quarter hours on the English south coast.
The Slovak ended the see-saw opening set with a fourth break of the Czech serve and got away to a 3-1 lead in the second as rain clouds threatened to roll in over Devonshire Park.
Pliskova, who goes into Wimbledon with the Nottingham grass court title under her belt, was unable to get into contention from a set and a break down.
Cibulkova closed out victory after winning a 10-minute penultimate game and finishing off her afternoon from a Pliskova error a game later.
“This has been such a great week, this is my second time here and I’ll be back for many more years,” said the 27-year-old Cibulkova. “I’m happy to win the title at least once.”
Despite defeat, Pliskova is confident heading to the All England Club after losing for the second time to her cross-border rival.
“I’m pleased with how I’m playing on grass. But the main event is coming now.
“I wanted to play as many matches as I could before Wimbledon. I’m feeling good on the surface. Now I’m gonna rest for a day and be ready for next week.”
Follow us on Twitter @NatSportUAE
Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/TheNationalSport
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
