coco gauff Survives Three Match Points to Reach Dubai Quarterfinals After Earlier Kalinskaya Win
coco gauff weathered a turbulent start to the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships and produced a late-tournament escape to advance to the quarterfinals. After grinding out a 6-4, 6-4 second-round victory over Anna Kalinskaya on Tuesday (ET), Gauff needed to dig deep in her next match, rallying from three match points down to deny Elise Mertens and book a place in the last eight.
Late fightback vs. Mertens keeps Gauff alive in Dubai
In a dramatic turn, Gauff recovered from the brink to beat Elise Mertens and reach the Dubai quarterfinals. The match was tense throughout, with Gauff facing three match points before mounting a comeback that ultimately put her through to the next round. The escape showcased the 19-year-old’s resilience after some earlier inconsistency in the week.
Mertens had arrived in Dubai with momentum, posting a straight-sets win over Emma Navarro in 75 minutes to notch her first victory in three meetings with the American. That form set up a tense clash with Gauff, who countered with clutch play late to turn the match in her favor and avoid an early exit.
Earlier struggles, gritty win over Kalinskaya and a shout-out to fans
Gauff’s week began with an error-strewn 6-4, 6-4 victory over Anna Kalinskaya on Tuesday (ET). The scoreline masked a match afflicted by inconsistency: Kalinskaya amassed 45 unforced errors against just 11 winners, while Gauff managed only 11 winners of her own, committing 33 unforced errors and 12 double faults. Despite the sloppy statistics on both sides, Gauff noted the importance of finding a way to win.
"It wasn't the prettiest win but it was enough today, " Gauff said after the match, calling the victory a "confidence boost" as she worked to regain form following recent setbacks. Wind and difficult conditions played a part, and Gauff emphasized the value of closing out matches even on days when rhythm is lacking.
Off court, Gauff also offered praise for the support surrounding the sport, singling out the fans of Alexandra Eala as "great for the sport. " The remark highlighted a broader appreciation for rising interest in young players and enthusiastic followings that lift the atmosphere at events.
Draw implications and the Dubai picture
Gauff’s comeback secures a berth in the quarterfinals and keeps her title hopes alive as the Dubai draw tightens. The win over Mertens delivers a momentum swing for Gauff and provides a clearer path deeper into the tournament if she can find more consistency with her serve and reduce unforced errors.
The tournament has seen several noteworthy developments beyond Gauff’s run: American teen Iva Jovic also advanced to the last 16, while other players progressed through withdrawals, reshaping the bottom half of the draw. As the event moves into the business end, Gauff’s capacity to convert pressure moments and tighten up her game will be central to any further success.
For now, Gauff can take heart from two consecutive wins in Dubai — one a scrappy grind against Kalinskaya and the other a gutsy comeback against Mertens — and from the supportive buzz around emerging talents that she herself has acknowledged as a positive for the sport.
