How to Watch Liudmila Samsonova vs Sofia Kenin at Abu Dhabi Open 2026: Sky Sports Tennis, World Feed with Candy Reid-Harrop and More

Tennis fans in the UK, US and Australia gearing up for the thrilling Abu Dhabi Open WTA 500 on February 1, 2026, at 09:00 UK time, won't want to miss the matchup between Liudmila Samsonova and Sofia Kenin. This opening-round clash promises high-octane action on the outdoor hard courts at Zayed Sports City International Tennis Centre, and UK viewers can catch it live on Sky Sports Tennis and Sky Sports+ streaming, both utilising the world feed commentary led by experienced voice Candy Reid-Harrop. WTA TV also streams the match with the same world feed production, ensuring comprehensive coverage for global audiences.[1][3][6]

Sky Sports Tennis, a cornerstone of British sports broadcasting, holds exclusive rights to a host of WTA events, delivering top-tier production enhanced by the neutral yet insightful world feed. Similarly, Sky Sports+ offers streaming flexibility for cord-cutters, perfect for watching on the go. These channels bring the Middle East Swing to life right from its kickoff, with the tournament running through February 7, featuring stars like defending champion Belinda Bencic, Paula Badosa and Clara Tauson.[1][4][6]

The world feed, the backbone of international tennis broadcasts, is spearheaded by Candy Reid-Harrop, a seasoned commentator whose career spans decades in tennis media. With a background in British tennis journalism, Reid-Harrop has covered major WTA and ATP events, bringing her keen analytical eye and engaging style to matches worldwide. Her experience includes stints with BBC Radio and various grand slams, making her a trusted voice for dissecting player tactics and form—ideal for analysing Samsonova's powerful baseline game against Kenin's crafty all-court play.[1]

Match Preview: Samsonova vs Kenin

Liudmila Samsonova, the Russian powerhouse currently hovering around the top 20 in PIF WTA Rankings, enters the Abu Dhabi Open with her signature aggressive baseline tennis. Known for her booming serve and forehand winners, Samsonova has notched notable wins in recent seasons, including deep runs in WTA 500 events. Her preparation post-Australian Open positions her as a dark horse in this 28-player draw, where top seeds like Bencic receive byes into the second round.[1][5][6]

Facing her is Sofia Kenin, the American former Grand Slam champion who tasted doubles success at this very tournament in past editions alongside Bethanie Mattek-Sands. Kenin, a two-time major finalist, thrives on variety—mixing slices, volleys and relentless defence. After a resurgence in 2025, she's aiming to climb back towards her peak top-5 form. This head-to-head could be a tactical battle, with Kenin's experience potentially countering Samsonova's raw power on the fast Abu Dhabi hard courts.[6]

The Abu Dhabi Open WTA 500 marks the fourth edition of this prestigious event, part of the WTA Tour Driven by Mercedes-Benz Middle East Swing. Starting February 1, main-draw singles action unfolds alongside qualifiers, culminating in singles and doubles finals on February 7. With a prize money pot of $1,206,446 and a compact 28-player singles draw (18 direct entries, six qualifiers, four wild cards), every match counts. The outdoor hard courts mimic conditions seen in Doha and Dubai later in the swing.[1][2][3]

Commentary and Broadcast Details

Beyond Candy Reid-Harrop's lead on the world feed, expect co-commentators with deep tennis pedigrees. The world feed often features former pros offering insider insights, complementing Reid-Harrop's polished delivery. For Sky Sports viewers, this integrates seamlessly into their coverage, which has earned acclaim for comprehensive WTA scheduling. In Australia, check Foxtel or Kayo Sports for potential overlaps, while American fans might turn to Tennis Channel or ESPN for select coverage, though Sky's world feed ensures parity in quality.[1]

WTA TV, the official streaming platform, mirrors the world feed, accessible via subscription for international fans. This setup democratises access, allowing British, American and Australian audiences to tune in without regional blackouts. UK time of 09:00 aligns with prime morning viewing, roughly 1:00 AM EST and 4:00 PM AEDT, suiting early risers stateside and evening watchers down under.[1][2]

Player Careers and Backgrounds

Liudmila Samsonova's journey from junior prodigy to WTA contender is inspiring. Born in Russia, she turned pro in 2016, breaking into the top 50 by 2021 with titles in Berlin and 's-Hertogenbosch. Her 2023 US Open quarter-final run showcased resilience, and she's since added consistency on hard courts. Off-court, Samsonova advocates for mental health in sports, resonating with fans across continents.[6]

Sofia Kenin burst onto the scene with her 2020 Australian Open triumph over Garbiñe Muguruza, followed by a French Open final. The Florida native, trained rigorously from age three, embodies the American grit. Despite injury setbacks, her doubles prowess—including Abu Dhabi glory—highlights versatility. Kenin's engaging personality shines in pressers, endearing her to UK, US and Aussie crowds.[6]

Commentator Candy Reid-Harrop brings gravitas with her extensive resume. Starting in local radio, she ascended to national TV, covering Wimbledon for the BBC and WTA finals globally. Her expertise in women's tennis stems from years shadowing tours, interviewing legends like Martina Navratilova. Reid-Harrop's balanced commentary—focusing on strategy over drama—makes complex rallies accessible, a boon for casual and die-hard fans alike.

Tournament Context and Stars to Watch

The 2026 edition boasts a stellar field: top seed Belinda Bencic, the Swiss Olympic gold medallist and new mother chasing history as the first mum to win a WTA title since 2023. She's drawn against Krueger in previews, but the full draw revealed January 31 promises upsets. Paula Badosa, former world No.2, returns post-injury, while Leylah Fernandez and Jelena Ostapenko add firepower. Rising stars like Alexandra Eala eye breakthroughs.[4][6]

This WTA 500 slots into a packed Middle East Swing: concurrent WTA 250s in Ostrava and Transylvania, followed by WTA 1000s in Doha (Feb 9-15) and Dubai (Feb 16-22). Abu Dhabi's vibe—family villages, hospitality pavilions—enhances the spectacle, with tickets from 85 AED.[2][4]

How to Stream and Tips for Viewers

UK subscribers: Log into Sky Sports Tennis or stream via Sky Go/Now TV. Australia: Stan Sport often carries WTA; US: Tennis.com or Tennis Channel apps. Ensure VPNs for geo-restricted WTA TV. For live scores, visit WTATennis.com.[1]

Predicting Samsonova vs Kenin? Samsonova's power suits Abu Dhabi's pace, but Kenin's 2020 pedigree tips a three-setter. Tune in at 09:00 UK time for unmissable action.

Explore more on the Abu Dhabi Open history, player profiles at WTATennis.com, or Sky Sports schedules. With Reid-Harrop calling the shots, this broadcast elevates the viewing experience across borders.

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