Coco Gauff: American beaten in epic as Elina Svitolina reaches Dubai final

Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina upset world number four Coco Gauff to set up a final against Jessica Pegula at the Dubai Tennis Championships.

American Pegula was the first to win her semi-final, fighting back from a disastrous opening set and early break of serve in the second set to defeat compatriot Amanda Anisimova 1-6 6-4 6-3.

Gauff, 21, had a chance to make it an all-American final on Saturday, but Svitolina recorded a 6-4 6-7 (13-15) 6-4 in an epic encounter that lasted three hours and three minutes.

The 31-year-old Svitolina had four match points in the second-set tie-break and could not take them, but still managed to win the decider.

It means she is back in the final of the event for the first time since claiming back-to-back Dubai titles in 2017 and 2018.

«I was playing like there is no tomorrow, just trying to put all the effort in,» she said.

In the men’s Qatar Open, world number one Carlos Alcaraz maintained his perfect start to 2026 with a 7-6 (7-3) 6-4 victory over Russia’s Andrey Rublev to move into the final.

The 22-year-old Spaniard has already won the Australian Open this year to become the youngest man to complete a career Grand Slam – and this was his 11th victory out of 11 in 2026.

«I know what I am able to do every time I step on the court, what I am capable of doing,» Alcaraz said.

He will play France’s Arthur Fils in the final, after he beat Jakub Mensik of the Czech Republic – who knocked out world number two Jannik Sinner on Thursday – 6-4, 7-6 (7-4).

Meanwhile, seven-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams has been awarded a wildcard entry into Indian Wells, the tournament announced on Friday.

The 45-year-old American will compete in both the singles and doubles.

«It’s great to be heading back to Indian Wells and returning home to California,» said Williams in a statement.