Dubai Semifinal Preview: Americans, Svitolina Vie for Final Spots

The Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships are set for an exciting semifinal showdown featuring three American players and one Ukrainian. The last time three players from the same country reached the semifinals in Dubai was 25 years ago. The matches are crucial, as they will determine who advances to the final of this prestigious WTA 1000 event.

Semifinal Matches Overview

• No. 2 Seed Amanda Anisimova vs. No. 4 Seed Jessica Pegula – Match at 5 p.m. local time (8 a.m. ET)
• No. 3 Seed Coco Gauff vs. No. 7 Seed Elina Svitolina – Followed closely by the Anisimova vs. Pegula match

Coco Gauff vs. Elina Svitolina

Coco Gauff, the third seed, has her eyes set on a spot in the finals. She enters the match with a competitive 2-2 head-to-head record against Svitolina. In her quarterfinal, Gauff delivered an impressive performance, defeating Alexandra Eala with a score of 6-0, 6-2. Despite this victory, she expressed surprise at reaching the semifinals in Dubai.

Gauff has struggled with her serve, accumulating the most double faults in the tournament. However, her defensive skills have shone through, as she leads the tournament with 19 break points won. Svitolina, on the other hand, is a two-time champion here, having won in 2017 and 2018. She reached the semifinals after overcoming Antonia Ruzic in a hard-fought match, saving 11 of 14 break points.

Amanda Anisimova vs. Jessica Pegula

The second semifinal features Amanda Anisimova and Jessica Pegula. Pegula holds a 4-0 lead in their head-to-head encounters, but Anisimova’s recent performance hints at a potential shift. Anisimova reached this stage after a comeback victory against Mirra Andreeva in the quarterfinals.

Pegelua has demonstrated consistent improvement, reaching her seventh consecutive WTA Tour-level semifinal, a significant achievement. She acknowledged her stronger serve and overall fitness as key reasons for her success. The matchup promises to be thrilling, as both players aim for a spot in the finals.

Looking Ahead

The winners of these semifinal matches will compete for the championship title on Saturday. With three Americans and one seasoned player vying for glory, fans can expect a display of top-notch tennis. Gauff, Svitolina, Anisimova, and Pegula are poised to leave it all on the court in this pivotal moment of the tournament.