Tauson Faces Kessler As Abu Dhabi Quarterfinals Intensify

The Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open is heating up as the women’s singles quarterfinals take center stage, with a compelling mix of rising stars and proven contenders battling for a coveted spot in the semifinals. On Thursday, February 5, 2026, fans are treated to two particularly intriguing matchups: Clara Tauson, the 16th-ranked Danish player, squares off against McCartney Kessler, the American ranked 32nd, while Sonay Kartal faces Sara Bejlek in another clash loaded with potential storylines.

Let’s start with the headline act: Clara Tauson versus McCartney Kessler. Tauson, who has steadily climbed the WTA rankings and notched impressive wins over the past year, enters the quarterfinals after dispatching Simona Waltert 6-3, 6-1. Her journey to this stage has showcased her power and tactical prowess, especially on hard courts—a surface where she’s posted an 18-15 record over the past 12 months. Her serve has been a weapon, winning 71.5% of her service games, and she’s also managed to convert 47.0% of her break points, a stat that could be crucial against a gritty opponent like Kessler.

Kessler, meanwhile, has quietly built a reputation as a dangerous underdog. The 26-year-old American has a 21-16 record on hard courts over the past year and boasts a career hard court record of 121-62 over the last decade—a testament to her consistency and adaptability. She’s won 65.5% of her service games and an impressive 36.7% of her return games in the last 12 months, ranking 18th in break point conversion at 43.2% (146 out of 338). While Kessler is still searching for her first hard court title in 2026, her performance has been steadily improving, and she’s come through some tough matches to reach this stage.

The head-to-head between Tauson and Kessler adds an extra dash of intrigue. They’ve met just once before, at the 2023 WTA Angers Open, where Kessler emerged victorious. However, that encounter was on a different surface, and both players have evolved since then—Tauson, in particular, has improved her game significantly. Despite this, Kessler’s experience and recent form on hard courts suggest this won’t be a straightforward affair.

Bookmakers have installed Tauson as the favorite, with odds of -150 (implying a 60% chance of victory), while Kessler sits at +115. Yet, some analysts are questioning those numbers. As noted by Last Word On Sports, "Kessler is playing better in ’26, has faced the tougher competition, and has played and won more games on hardcourt. She also has more overall wins on a hardcourt than Tauson. The only thing Tauson has is a higher World ranking." The article goes so far as to call Kessler a value bet at 2.23 odds, highlighting the unpredictable nature of this quarterfinal showdown.

Both players are coming off early exits at the Australian Open—Tauson fell to Victoria Mboko in a hard-fought three-setter (6-7, 7-5, 3-6) in the Round of 32, while Kessler was ousted by Jessica Pegula 0-6, 2-6 in the Round of 64. These setbacks, however, seem to have only sharpened their focus for Abu Dhabi.

For Tauson, the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open presents a golden opportunity. She’s just three wins away from capturing the title, and her projected draw offers a path that, while challenging, is certainly navigable. Her positive record (2-1) against potential semifinal and final opponents could give her a psychological edge as the tournament progresses.

On the other side of the draw, Sonay Kartal takes on Sara Bejlek in a match that pits two promising talents against each other for the first time. Kartal, with a 6-2 record in 2026 (all on hard courts), brings a wealth of hard court experience—she’s played 95 career matches on the surface, more than Bejlek’s 55. While neither player is considered a hard court specialist, Kartal’s recent performances, including a hard-fought win over Cristina Bucsa, have made her a slight favorite among bookmakers. Odds place her at 2.1 to win in straight sets, reflecting confidence in her ability to handle the pressure.

Bejlek, for her part, is off to a solid 5-2 start in 2026. Although she lacks Kartal’s depth of experience on hard courts, she’s shown flashes of brilliance and resilience in previous rounds. Both players have yet to be truly tested in Abu Dhabi, which adds an element of unpredictability to their encounter. As one analyst put it, "Kartal’s performance against Bucsa has me feeling pretty confident in her ability to overcome Bejlek in this match. She may not have much experience on a hardcourt, but she’s got twice the experience of Bejlek, and that’s good enough for me in a match like this."

Zooming out, the presence of three Americans in the quarterfinals underscores the depth and strength of U.S. women’s tennis at the moment. With Kessler and Kartal (who represents Great Britain but has trained extensively in the U.S.) both making deep runs, the tournament has become a showcase for emerging talent and international flair. The draw has also set up the potential for some tantalizing semifinal matchups, depending on how Thursday’s matches unfold.

Looking ahead, Tauson’s projected path could see her face either Kartal or Bejlek in the semifinals, should she get past Kessler. Tauson and Kartal have never played each other on the main tour, while Tauson and Bejlek also have no previous meetings. In the final, a possible clash with Ekaterina Alexandrova looms—Tauson holds a 2-0 head-to-head record over Alexandrova, though they’ve never met on hard courts in major tournaments.

As the quarterfinals get underway, all eyes are on Abu Dhabi to see which players can seize the moment and propel themselves into the weekend’s action. With form, statistics, and a bit of history all in the mix, Thursday’s matches promise drama, intensity, and perhaps a surprise or two.

The Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open quarterfinals are in full swing, with Tauson, Kessler, Kartal, and Bejlek all vying for a place in the semifinals. As the action continues, tennis fans won’t want to miss a single point.