WTA Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships Round-Up: Svitolina surprises Gauff and sets up final showdown with Pegula

On Friday, the semifinals of the WTA Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships were decided, with both the first and second seeds eliminated in surprising fashion. The day began with Jessica Pegula defeating second seed Amanda Anisimova in a three-set battle, replicating her Australian Open quarterfinal victory over the same opponent just weeks earlier. Pegula’s resilience and tactical adjustments once again proved decisive, setting up a high-stakes showdown for a place in the Dubai final.

In the second match, veteran Elina Svitolina produced a remarkable upset over third seed Coco Gauff in a contest that lasted more than three hours and ultimately was decided in the third set. The two players had also faced each other at the Australian Open earlier this year, where Svitolina claimed the victory, and she once again showed her experience and composure in a tightly contested match. The Ukrainian’s ability to seize key moments under pressure proved decisive in extending her run at the WTA 1000 event.

Jessica Pegula returned to a WTA 1000 final for the eighth time in her career and will compete for her first Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championship title. World No. 6 Pegula faced compatriot Amanda Anisimova (No. 4), who entered the match having won 29 top-10 victories in her career, including three this season.

Amanda Anisimova started the match strongly, immediately breaking Jessica Pegula’s serve and establishing a commanding early lead. She overpowered Pegula (No. 6) with aggressive baseline play and consistent pressure on returns, taking advantage of the American’s unforced errors. By the midpoint of the set, Anisimova had extended her lead to 5-1 (after two breaks), and she closed out the opener 6-1 with authority. The young American’s first-serve accuracy and composure in key points made it difficult for Pegula to mount any sustained challenge.

In the second set, Pegula regrouped and began to fight back. She broke Anisimova early and used stronger serving and sharper shot selection to take control of the rallies. The set became a tight contest, with both players exchanging breaks and holding under pressure. Pegula’s persistence and tactical adjustments allowed her to edge ahead, ultimately taking the second set 6-4 and forcing a decisive third.

The final set remained tense and competitive. Pegula maintained her momentum from the second set, earning an early break and holding serve consistently. Despite Anisimova’s attempts to fight back, Pegula’s experience and steady aggression proved decisive. She secured the final set 6-3, completing a comeback that showcased her resilience and earning a place in the WTA 1000 final, where she will face either Coco Gauff or Elina Svitolina.

The match began evenly, with both players holding serve in the opening games and Gauff briefly taking a 2-1 lead. The first break of the set came at 3-1, as Gauff capitalized on a couple of unforced errors from Svitolina. However, the American soon began to show signs of nerves, committing double faults at crucial moments, which allowed Svitolina to immediately fight back and level the set at 3-3. The 31-year-old then steadily asserted control from the baseline, applying consistent pressure and forcing errors from the World No. 4.

Svitolina’s determination paid off in the closing stages. With Gauff struggling through an erratic spell, Svitolina patiently exploited the American’s forehand, ultimately breaking late to secure the set 6-4.

Elina Svitolina produced a composed and tactically astute performance in the second and third sets to edge past Coco Gauff in a thrilling three-hour contest. After dropping the first set 6-4, Svitolina began the second set assertively, immediately taking the early lead and dictating play from the baseline. Gauff responded with resilience, breaking back to keep the set level, but unforced errors and critical double faults disrupted her rhythm.

The second set developed into a gripping battle of nerves. Both players held serve under pressure, exchanging momentum throughout the set. Svitolina saved multiple set points, demonstrating her experience and mental toughness, while Gauff refused to fade, ultimately taking the tie-break 15-13 in a marathon 28-point exchange. The extended tie-break left both players physically and mentally drained, setting up a decisive final set.

In the third set, Svitolina gradually seized control, breaking Gauff at a crucial stage to take a 5-4 lead. Despite two late break opportunities, Gauff could not overcome the Ukrainian’s composure and shot selection. Svitolina held serve to close out the match 4-6, 7-6, 6-4, with her experience and consistency proving decisive in the closing stages.

The match statistics underline Svitolina’s efficient performance: she won a higher percentage of second-serve points, converted key break opportunities, and remained calm in critical moments. Gauff, hampered by 12 double faults, could not exploit late openings. Svitolina’s victory propelled her into a WTA 1000 final for the first time since 2017, highlighting a performance defined by patience, resilience, and tactical intelligence.