The World No 1 fell to a straight sets defeat to Clara Tauson to continue a difficult period on court. World No 1 Aryna Sabalenka blamed a lack of focus and motivation for her last-16 defeat at the Dubai Championships, where she fell 6-3 6-2 to World No 38 Clara Tauson.
Sabalenka, who won the Qatar Open in 2020, suffered a second-round defeat to Ekaterina Alexandrova in Doha last week. Three-time grand slam champion Sabalenka started her season with a title in Brisbane but has struggled for form after failing to win a third consecutive Australian Open last month.
"I'd say that for the last couple of years, I'm not doing well in the Middle East. I believe we need to change something in the preparation ... because every time I don't feel well playing here," the 26-year-old Belarusian said after Wednesday's match.
"Even health-wise I'm struggling. Australia always taking a lot of energy out of me. "I believe that I'm not that hungry on court. I'm kind of like all over the place in my thoughts and not consistent. The decisions I'm making on the court are a bit wrong and emotionally I'm not on my best.".
The 22-year-old Dane broke Sabalenka's serve six times to secure her first WTA 1000 quarter-final spot. Her victory also served as payback for her third-round loss to Sabalenka at Melbourne Park. "Last time, I had my chances, but I didn't take them," Tauson said. "Today I was really free in my mind. I knew she had to beat me and I'm the underdog all the way, and I was really enjoying my time out on the court.".
Elena Rybakina, seeded sixth, beat Paula Badosa 4-6 7-6(8) 7-6(2) to make the quarter-finals. World No 2 Iga Swiatek cruised through the last eight with a 7-5 6-0 win over Ukranian Dayana Yastremska while Italian fourth seed Jasmine Paolini's Dubai title defence ended with a 6-4 6-0 loss to American wildcard Sofia Kenin.
