The bullets are going to fly

New Court 1 is the centerpiece of the massive renovation plan launched this year by the Dubai organizers. Installed to relieve congestion on the main court while offering a more intimate “show court” atmosphere, this temporary 2,000-seat court lets fans get closer to the players ahead of the major stadium overhaul planned for 2027. It’s on this court, very exposed to the sea breeze, that Dayana Yastremska and Janice Tjen will face off tomorrow.

It’s a clash of completely contrasting styles. Yastremska will look to crush the ball to shorten the points. She’s a momentum player who can become untouchable if her mule-like strikes find the lines.

Janice Tjen, on the other hand, has a game built entirely around variety. Her backhand slice (often compared to Barty’s) and her ability to change pace are her best weapons for disrupting powerful players. She has the tactical intelligence required not to give Dayana the same ball twice, which is often the key to making the Ukrainian crack.

On the fast surface and swirling wind of New Court 1, Tjen’s precision and court coverage could prove more reliable than Yastremska’s raw but inconsistent power.