Dubai Tennis Championships: Svitolina beats Gauff to reach final

Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina has upset world number four Coco Gauff in a three-hour epic to reach the final of the Dubai Tennis Championships.

The 31-year-old will face American Jessica Pegula in Saturday’s showpiece after a grueling semi-final victory.

Svitolina missed four match points in a dramatic second-set tie-break but recovered to win the decider for a 6-4 6-7 (13-15) 6-4 victory.

The contest lasted three hours and three minutes, denying Gauff the chance to create an all-American final.

Pegula fights back to advance

Earlier in the day, Pegula secured her spot by defeating compatriot Amanda Anisimova 1-6 6-4 6-3.

The American had to dig deep, recovering from a disastrous opening set and an early break of serve in the second.

She eventually found her rhythm to overcome Anisimova and book her place in the title decider.

In the men’s Qatar Open, world number one Carlos Alcaraz continued his flawless start to the season.

The Spaniard defeated Russia’s Andrey Rublev 7-6 (7-3) 6-4 to move into the final.

The 22-year-old recently became the youngest man to complete a career Grand Slam by winning the Australian Open.

His victory over Rublev marked his 11th consecutive win of the 2026 campaign.

Alcaraz will play either Jakub Mensik of the Czech Republic or France’s Arthur Fils for the trophy.

Elsewhere, seven-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams has been awarded a wildcard entry into Indian Wells.

The 45-year-old intends to compete in both the singles and doubles events in California.

“It’s great to be heading back to Indian Wells and returning home to California,” said Williams.