World number one Aryna Sabalenka slumped to a 6-3, 6-2 loss against Denmark's Clara Tauson in the last 16 of the Dubai Championships on Wednesday, as Jasmine Paolini's title defence came to a painful end.

Sabalenka, who beat the 38th-ranked Tauson on her way to last month's Australian Open final, suffered a second straight premature exit after losing in her opening match in Qatar a week ago.

Tauson broke Sabalenka's serve six times and the Dane will go on to play Czech youngster Linda Noskova, who knocked out fifth seed Jessica Pegula in straight sets to reach the quarter-finals.

The 22-year-old Tauson beat Noskova in the first round of the Australian Open. She also won the title in Auckland at the start of January and made the semi-finals in Linz earlier this month.

Noskova will have her shot at revenge on Thursday after beating Pegula 6-3, 7-6 (10/8).........

© Al Monitor