Dubai Open: Parks eases past Wang to move into second round

A strong opening performance from Alycia Parks saw her cruise into the second round of the Dubai Open with a straight-sets victory over Xiyu Wang. The American displayed commanding form from the start, overpowering her Chinese opponent 6-3, 6-2 in just over an hour of play. Parks, known for her aggressive serve and explosive groundstrokes, showed no signs of early-round nerves as she dictated the pace and rhythm of the match throughout.

Wang, who has had some success on the WTA tour with her defensive style and consistency from the baseline, struggled to find answers against Parks’ power game. From the opening games, Parks looked sharp on serve, routinely clocking over 110 mph and not allowing Wang much of a look at break opportunities. The first set saw Parks earn an early break and consolidate with ease, moving confidently around the court and forcing errors from her opponent.

In the second set, Parks elevated her game even further. Her return of serve was particularly effective, often neutralizing Wang’s service games with deep, aggressive returns. The Chinese player attempted to adjust by mixing in higher balls and varying the pace, but the American remained focused and refused to let momentum slip. Parks broke twice in the set, keeping Wang under pressure and never letting her settle into any kind of rhythm.

This win marks an important early milestone for Parks, who has been steadily climbing the WTA rankings and looking to make her mark in higher-tier tournaments. Dubai offers a competitive field, and a performance like this suggests she may be poised for a deeper run. Her athleticism, backed by one of the tour’s most powerful serves, gives her a weapon that few opponents relish facing.

Parks’ victory also highlights her improved composure and shot selection, two aspects of her game that have seen notable refinement over the past year. Against Wang, she avoided unnecessary risks and instead built points intelligently, finishing at the net when appropriate and keeping unforced errors to a minimum.

As she advances to the second round, all eyes will be on whether Parks can maintain this level of play against stiffer opposition. If she continues in this vein, she could become one of the breakout stories of the Dubai tournament. For now, though, her opening match was a statement of intent and a reminder of the potential she brings to every court she steps on.