Schedule and lowdown: Final day of Mubadala World Tennis Championship: Serena Williams makes her tennis return and Kevin Anderson wins title
Ahead of Saturday's final day 10th staging of the Mubadala World Tennis Championship in Abu Dhabi, here is a look at the exhibition match-ups and the final
December 30, 2017
Ahead of Saturday's matches at the 10th staging of the Mubadala World Tennis Championship in Abu Dhabi, here is a look at the two exhibitions and also the final.
Exhibiton: Dominic Thiem v Pablo Carreno Busta, from 2.30pm
With Novak Djokovic's withdrawal on Friday a consequence is that there is no play-off for third place due to only one semi-final having been played.
Thiem, who lost to Kevin Anderson in Friday's last four clash, does get a second match on court in an exhibition match against Carreno Busta.
The world No 5 played some good tennis at times against Anderson and this will be a good workout on court as the Austrian prepares for the Australian Open.
It is another chance for Carreno Busta to build some confidence too having lost to both Anderson and Andrey Rublev so far this weekend.
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Exhibition: Serena Williams v Jelena Ostapenko, from 5pm
The return to tennis after almost a year away from the game is a big moment for Serena Williams.
It is her first public appearance on court since becoming a mother and how the 23-time major winner fares will be fascinating to watch.
She will be looking to assess where her game is at and how her mobility is and shot timing.
In French Open champion Ostapenko she has the ideal opponent to test herself. The Latvian has had an excellent year, and the world No 7's powerful groundstrokes and willingness to go for winners from all parts of the court should ensure Williams covers plenty of yards on court.
Championship final: Kevin Anderson v Roberto Bautista Agut
We are guaranteed a new tournament winner here to join Andy Murray, Rafael Nadal and Djokovic in the list of champions.
Anderson has had the harder route with his big serve crucial to seeing him past Carreno Busta and Thiem.
Bautista Agut looked solid in beating the erratic Rublev in his quarter-final and then received a walkover to the final after Djokovic's withdrawal.
The pair have only met once before in 2013, which Bautista Agut won.
Given how well he played against Thiem, it is hard not to see Anderson capping what has been his best year in tennis with his run to the US Open final in September with the Mubadala title leaving Zayed Sports City tonight with him.
Prediction: Anderson in straight sets
Published: December 30, 2017 09:14 AM
