The Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open 2026 (WTA 500) moves into the Round of 16 with an intriguing women’s singles clash as third seed Clara Tauson takes on Swiss qualifier Simona Waltert on the Stadium Court.
Tauson enters the match as a clear favorite, but Waltert arrives full of confidence after pulling off one of the biggest upsets of the tournament in the opening round.
Tauson vs Waltert Match Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Tournament | Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open |
| Category | WTA 500 |
| Round | Round of 16 (Second Round) |
| Date | 3 February 2026 |
| Venue | Zayed Sports City International Tennis Centre, Abu Dhabi |
| Court | Stadium Court |
| Surface | Outdoor Hard |
| Expected Start Time | Around 2:10 PM local time |
| Live Streaming | WTA TV and official broadcasters |
Tauson received a first-round bye, while Waltert reached this stage after a hard-fought three-set victory over Daria Kasatkina.
Also see: Abu Dhabi Open 2026: When and Where to Watch Live Streaming
Tauson vs Waltert Head-to-Head Record (H2H)
| Category | Record |
|---|---|
| Total Meetings | 1 |
| Tauson Lead | 1–0 |
| Last Meeting | ITF Final 2021 |
| Match Result | Tauson won 3–6, 6–1, 6–3 |
| WTA-Level Meetings | First |
| Hard Court H2H | No previous record |
Although Tauson leads the head-to-head, this will be their first meeting at WTA level, adding an element of uncertainty.
Tauson vs Waltert Player Form
Clara Tauson (World No. 14, Third Seed)
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Age | 23 |
| Playing Style | Power baseliner |
| Aces per Match | 5–6 on average |
| Hard Court Record (Last 52 Weeks) | 18–15 |
| Strength | Big serve, aggressive groundstrokes |
Tauson enjoyed a breakthrough 2025 season and has continued to establish herself among the top players on tour. Despite an early-season retirement in Adelaide, she looked physically strong at the Australian Open and has arrived in Abu Dhabi confident and fit.
Simona Waltert (World No. 94)
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Age | 24 |
| Entry | Qualifier |
| Playing Style | Consistent baseliner |
| Biggest Win in 2026 | Defeated Daria Kasatkina |
| Strength | Court coverage, rally tolerance |
Waltert has built momentum through qualifying and showed impressive composure in her first-round upset. While she lacks experience against top-20 players, her confidence is high coming into this match.
Also see: Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open 2026 Prize Money Breakdown
Tauson vs Waltert Injury Update
| Player | Status |
|---|---|
| Clara Tauson | Fully fit |
| Simona Waltert | Fully fit |
Tauson had a hamstring issue earlier in the season but has since recovered fully. No injury concerns are reported for either player ahead of this match.
Betting Odds & Prediction
| Market | Range |
|---|---|
| Tauson Win Probability | 70% – 72% |
| Moneyline Odds | Tauson around -300 |
| Waltert Odds | 3.00+ |
Tauson vs Waltert Match Prediction
Clara Tauson’s power, higher ranking, and experience on hard courts give her a clear advantage. Waltert’s recent upset shows she cannot be underestimated, but sustaining that level against a top-15 opponent will be challenging.
Predicted Result:
Clara Tauson wins in straight sets
For Tauson, this match is an important step toward building momentum in the Middle East swing and pushing for a deep run in Abu Dhabi. For Waltert, it represents a rare opportunity to claim another major scalp and announce herself on the WTA stage.
With contrasting styles and rising stakes, this Round of 16 clash promises competitive tennis and high intensity.
