Svitolina, Pegula Enter Dubai Duty Free Tennis Final

DUBAI, February 21, 2026 — Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina and American star Jessica Pegula have secured their places in the final of the 26th Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, one of the most prestigious tournaments on the WTA 1000 circuit. The championship, held at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium, continues to attract global attention as the world’s top women players battle for a major title and valuable ranking points.

In the first semi-final, seventh seed Svitolina delivered a performance full of grit, experience, and resilience against third-seeded American Coco Gauff. The encounter turned into a high-intensity marathon that lasted three hours and three minutes, keeping fans on the edge of their seats. Svitolina, a two-time Dubai champion, relied on her strong baseline game and mental toughness to edge out Gauff. After taking the first set 6-4, she narrowly lost the second set in a tense tie-break. Refusing to give up, Svitolina regrouped in the deciding set and closed the match 6-4, sealing her return to the Dubai final once again.

The second semi-final saw an all-American showdown as fourth seed Pegula faced second seed Amanda Anisimova. The match began with Anisimova dominating the opening set, winning 6-1 and putting Pegula under pressure. However, Pegula showed remarkable composure and tactical awareness, adjusting her game and gradually taking control of the rallies. She won the second set 6-4 and carried the momentum into the third, finishing strong with a 6-3 victory. The match lasted just over two hours and highlighted Pegula’s fighting spirit and consistency at the highest level.

With their semi-final victories, Svitolina and Pegula are now set for a highly anticipated final on Saturday. Both players will be aiming to lift one of the most coveted trophies in women’s tennis. For Svitolina, the final represents another chance to extend her successful history in Dubai, while Pegula will be looking to add a major WTA 1000 title to her career achievements. Tennis fans around the world are eagerly awaiting a thrilling final between two of the sport’s most determined and in-form competitors.