Aryna Sabalenka made a winning start to her 2025 BNP Paribas Open campaign, overcoming a strong challenge from McCartney Kessler, 7-6 (4), 6-3 to advance into the third round.
The world No. 1 struggled for form through the Middle East Swing, winning just one match out of three played in Doha and Dubai, but relied on a strong serving performance to defeat Kessler, a rising American star, in one hour and 32 minutes on Court 1.
Sabalenka had enjoyed a bright start to the 2025 season, capturing her 18th career WTA title in Brisbane and coming within one match of winning a third straight Australian Open. But after losing a close three-setter to Madison Keys in the final, illness and apathy stunted her progress in the Middle East.
