Torrential rain and hail suspended play at the Aviation Club just as Caroline Garcia started serving for the match against Carla Suarez Navarro on centre court.

Suarez Navarro, the No3 seed in Dubai, went up a set over the 22-year-old Garcia and looked on her way to a straight-sets victory when she went up a break in the second.

But the French world No38 fought back from a break down twice in the second set to put Suarez Navarro in the position to serve to stay in the set.

The Spaniard saved two set points but faltered on the third, losing a backhand-to-backhand battle with Garcia, who forced a decider.

Garcia broke for 3-1 in the final set. Suarez Navarro saved four break points in a marathon sixth game and hung on for 4-2. Garcia started serving for the match at 5-3 before the thunderstorm halted play.

Over on Court 1, Barbora Strycova pulled off a comeback of her own, climbing back from a set and a break down to defeat 2012 runner-up Julia Goerges 2-6, 6-3, 6-1.

“Play is suspended due to rain. No matches will be played before 7pm,” said Donna Kelso, the WTA Supervisor on-site.

“The only match that has been cancelled is Errani/Suarez Navarro vs Xu/Zheng.”