Elena Rybakina defeated Danielle Collins for a place in the quarter-finals of the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open, where she joins Barbora Krejčíková, Liudmila Samsonova and Cristina Bucșa, who were also winners on day six of the competition.
Having dispatched former World Number 1 Naomi Osaka in straight sets on Tuesday, Collins confidently started the match, storming through a first set at a fast pace and producing some great tennis.
The set went with serve until Collins broke her opponent at 4-4, subsequently going on to successfully see it out and take a 1-0 lead.
Rybakina’s ranking as World Number 5 quickly became evident in the second as she responded brilliantly, playing with consistency and quality to win 6-3 and force a final set.
Having drawn level, Rybakina clearly sensed a shift in initiative as she stepped it up and took control.
Collins was resolute and persistent, refusing to cave as Rybakina looked to take the match away from her, but ultimately the 2022 Wimbledon champion was simply too strong and sealed a 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 victory to set up a quarter-final showdown with Spaniard Cristina Bucșa.
Bucșa went head-to-head with Brit Heather Watson in the day’s final game, and prevailed courtesy of a 7-6, 7-5 victory in what was a tight and entertaining contest.
Elsewhere, there was disappointment for Spaniard Sara Sorribes Tormo as she was forced to withdraw from the day’s opening match, against Krejčíková, after sustaining an injury to her right thumb.
Krejčíková, leading 6-2, 1-0 at the time of Sorribes Tormo’s withdrawal, automatically advances to the next stage of the tournament.
She will meet Liudmila Samsonova in the quarter-finals following her impressive straight-sets win over Anhelina Kalinina in which she fired five Aces.
The injury to Sorribes Tormo means she and partner Marie Bouzkova have withdrawn from the doubles competition, with scheduled opponents Sofia Kenin and Bethanie Mattek-Sands now through to the last four.
They will face Brazilian duo Beatriz Haddad Maia and Luisa Stefani, who produced a dominant display against American pairing Caroline Dolehide and Desirae Krawczyk on Thursday afternoon.
Haddad Maia, who faces Ons Jabeur in the singles quarter-finals on Friday, and Stefani were in control of the contest from the start and the eventual outcome never looked in doubt.
There was also frustration for Magda Linette and partner Bernarda Pera who, having won their last-eight match against Giuliana Olmos and Chan Hao-Ching, were forced to withdraw from the competition after Linette sustained an injury to her left thigh.
Whichever pairing comes out on top in the Linda Noskova / Heather Watson versus Shuko Aoyama / Aleksandra Krunic quarter-final will now advance to the final via Walk Over.
Rio Ferdinand may be done with UK living, for now.
The former Manchester United star, 47, has listed his seven-bedroom Kent mansion for £10.5 million (Dh52 million), hinting his move to Dubai is permanent.
Set in the exclusive Farnborough Park estate, the 12,500 sq ft home features landscaped grounds, a private gym, grand reception spaces, and a luxury master suite with dual dressing rooms. He bought it in 2008 for around £2.7 million, meaning a potential £8 million profit, though tax could apply depending on residency status.
Ferdinand moved to Dubai last year with his wife Kate and their children. They are now living in a luxury villa in Al Barari.
He has been candid about the move, citing more family time, an improved lifestyle, and the appeal of a fresh start. “The lifestyle, safety and weather, it just works for us,” Ferdinand said in the report.
He’s not alone. Vincent Kompany is also reportedly selling his UK home, as more football names rethink where they’re based.
Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has alerted motorists to expected traffic delays on key roads on Wednesday, April 22, due to the AFC Champions League 2 match taking place at Al Wasl Club.
The fixture between Qatar’s Al Ahli and Al Nassr of Saudi Arabia is part of the ongoing AFC Champions League 2, Asia’s second-tier continental competition, which has been drawing strong crowds across the region. Matches at this stage of the tournament typically attract large numbers of fans, especially when hosted in major cities like Dubai, leading to increased traffic around stadium zones.
Authorities expect congestion on roads leading to and around the stadium, particularly during pre-match and post-match hours, as supporters head to watch the game live.
Motorists are advised to plan their journeys, allow extra travel time, and consider alternative routes to avoid delays.
To help ease congestion, the RTA confirmed that additional parking spaces will be available behind the stadium, offering more options for those attending the match.
The advisory is part of ongoing efforts to manage traffic during major sporting events and ensure a smooth and comfortable travel experience for residents and visitors across Dubai.
If you’re driving around Abu Dhabi this weekend, you might want to plan, because several key roads are set to close.
The Run for the Nation 5km race is taking over Wahat Al Karama this Saturday, bringing together the community for a morning of fitness and fun.
But it also means temporary traffic disruptions you should know about.
Here’s what’s happening Organised by Abu Dhabi Sports Council in partnership with the Zayed Charity Run, the event kicks off at 8am, and it’s completely free to join.
To keep runners safe, road closures will be in place from 5am to 10am around the area. There are additional lane closures on E20 due to ongoing infrastructure works:
• Right lane towards Abu Dhabi closed from April 17 (2pm)- April 20 (5am) • Entry & exit from Al Fursan Street closed from April 18-April 19
Expect delays around Al Fursan Street and Al Khaleej Al Arabi Street (E20).
What should motorists do • Leave earlier than usual • Follow diversion signs • Avoid the area if possible during peak hours
While traffic may slow things down, the event is all about community, fitness, and bringing people together, a big win for Abu Dhabi’s active lifestyle push.
So whether you’re running or just commuting, be ready, plan smart, and stay moving.
