Veronika Kudermetova edged Liudmila Samsonova with a little help from her little sister.
Elena Rybakina launches her Abu Dhabi title defense with a new coach at her side.
The 34-year-old, who became a mother last summer, has not played since October of 2023.
The Russian still has a Gilles in his corner, however.
Zizou Bergs inadvertently bumped Cristian Garin at the net, and madness followed.
"When Carlos faces Jannik, no one can say who’s going to win," Coach Patrick Mouratoglou said.
World No. 1 takes viewers behind-the-scenes of his AO title defense in episode one of his new channel.
