VCO Player Field Update: Dubai Duty-Free Tennis Championships

As another round of play draws to a close in Dubai, athletes from our 2018 Volvo Car Open player field are putting their talents on display. Four Charleston players have advanced to the quarterfinals. The draw is setting up to deliver some exciting tennis – and we’re here to give you the quick rundown on what’s happening overseas. Here’s an update on our how our player field is fairing in tournament play and the upcoming match-ups to keep your eyes on.

WTA No. 7 Caroline Garcia: Garcia was able to get past fellow VCO player, Lucie Safarova, in the first round. Garcia defeated Safarova 6-3, 7-5 to advance. The Frenchwoman then went on to beat Ekaterina Makarova 6-4, 6-2 in the second round, landing her a spot in quarterfinals at Dubai. She’ll meet World No. 3 Garbiñe Muguruza in a match sure to pack a punch. The two were just opponents in Doha’s quarterfinals, where Muguruza took the win in three sets. Could this be the rematch Garcia is vying for?

WTA No. 23 Elena Vesnina: Elena Vesnina battled past Peng Shuai of China to win her first round match in two sets 6-4, 7-5. The Russian went on to defeat her first top 10 opponent of the year with a win against World No. 6 Jelena Ostapenko, defeating the 4th seed 6-1,7-6(6). Her quarterfinal match-up is set to provide even more excitement as she takes on reigning Volvo Car Open champion Daria Kasatkina.

WTA No. 24 Daria Kasatkina: The defending Volvo Car Open champion, Kasatkina won her first match in two sets, defeating Agnieszka Radwanska 7-5, 6-4 to advance. Kasatkina then battled against World No. 12 Johanna Konta, another VCO contender, in her second round match-up. The three set match ended in a hard fought victory for Kasatkina as she won 4-6, 7-6(8), 6-2, to advance to the quarterfinals. Her next opponent will be Elena Vesnina, yet another athlete in our player field who’s making a deep run in Dubai.

WTA No. 48 Naomi Osaka: Naomi Osaka started her Dubai tournament off with a statement win against World No. 14 Kristina Mladenovic of France in two quick sets. She grabbed another victory in round two as she defeated Anett Kontaveit 6-2, 7-6(5). The 20-year-old is really developing as young player, moving back into the WTA’s top-50 last week. Osaka will face the number one seed Elina Svitolina of Ukraine in the quarterfinals.

This tournament is providing our Volvo Car Open fans with an exciting preview of what’s in store for them when our athletes make their way to Charleston come April.

We are thrilled to have our players doing so well in other tournaments throughout the world. We’ll keep you updated on the progress of these stellar athletes throughout the tourney in Dubai. Be sure to check in on the player field as the Volvo Car Open draws near. The excitement is growing, and we can’t wait until the first ball is served in just a few short weeks!