coco gauff survives three match points to reach Dubai quarters
Coco Gauff overcame a scare and key lapses to advance to the quarterfinals of the Dubai tournament, first grinding out a win over Anna Kalinskaya and then surviving three match points to edge Elise Mertens. The American described the run as a necessary confidence boost as she searches for form early in the season.
Rough-but-effective start against Kalinskaya
Gauff opened her Dubai campaign with a 6-4, 6-4 victory over Anna Kalinskaya on Tuesday (ET) in a match that featured more errors than eye-catching winners. Kalinskaya battled through a left-leg treatment break in the first set and never recovered full momentum, yet the scoreboard reflected a match that was far from tidy for both players.
Statistically the match was tilted toward unforced mistakes: Kalinskaya finished with a large tally of unforced errors compared with a single-digit winners count, while Gauff also battled consistency, producing several double faults alongside a significant number of unforced errors of her own. Despite the sloppiness, Gauff leaned on experience and tactical adjustment in windy conditions to close out the win.
After the match Gauff called the result a welcome confidence boost as she works to regain sharpness following earlier exits in Doha and at the Australian Open. "It wasn't the prettiest win but it was enough today, " she said, noting the challenge of finding form when conditions and rhythm are lacking. Winning while not at her best was the takeaway she emphasized.
Dramatic escape against Mertens and march into the last eight
Gauff’s reward for getting past Kalinskaya was a dramatic showdown with Elise Mertens. In a match that tested both players' nerves, Gauff found herself down match points late before mounting a resilient comeback to seal victory and book her spot in the quarterfinals.
The escape under pressure highlighted Gauff’s growing mental toughness; saving three match points and turning the tide against a player who had been efficient in earlier rounds underscored her ability to summon her best moments when it matters most. The win also served to soothe doubts raised by her earlier erratic play in the tournament.
For Mertens, the loss was a tough exit after she had moved confidently through earlier rounds, including a straight-sets win over Emma Navarro that marked her first victory over the American in three meetings. For Gauff, the finish will be judged less by how pretty it looked and more by the result itself: a place in the last eight and momentum heading into the business end of the week.
Tournament picture: walkovers, upsets and form players to watch
The Dubai draw has been punctuated by withdrawals and commanding displays from top seeds. Two former champions progressed into the third round without playing after opponents withdrew with injuries, altering the projected path for several contenders. Meanwhile, the top seed continued dominant early-season form with a straight-sets victory that sets up another intriguing matchup in the coming round.
Young players and late entrants are also making noise; a lucky loser produced a notable upset to reach the last 16, underscoring how quickly momentum can shift on these hard courts. Against that backdrop, Gauff’s mixture of grit and inconsistency is likely to be tested again as the field narrows and the margins grow finer.
As the tournament moves into the quarterfinal phase, Gauff will need to tighten her service game and reduce the error count if she is to convert the late drama into a deep run. For now, surviving the stretch and advancing provides a practical victory and fresh belief heading into the next round.
