Elina Svitolina showcased her tenacity and skill in a gripping three-hour, three-minute battle against Coco Gauff, ultimately securing her spot in the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships final with a 6-4, 6-7 (13), 6-4 victory. After the match, Svitolina signed the camera with the message “Fight like Ukraine,” a testament to her resilience and determination.
Reflecting on the match, Svitolina expressed her gratitude for the support she received. “Seeing so many flags is very special,” she shared.
“I’m constantly fighting, and when I’m down, I remind myself of the challenges Ukraine is facing. I’m fortunate to be here, representing my country, and I strive to do it honorably.”
A two-time champion in Dubai, Svitolina overcame the disappointment of losing four match points in the second-set tiebreaker. She rallied to defeat Gauff, whom she had previously bested at the Australian Open. The turning point came in the penultimate game, where Svitolina clinched her sixth break of the match, sealing the victory.
Svitolina praised Gauff’s fighting spirit, acknowledging the young American’s track record in big tournaments. “Coco is such a big fighter,” Svitolina noted.
“I expected her to come back strong. She’s won many significant finals, so I had to keep pushing.
I’m very pleased with the fight and the win today.”
Next up for Svitolina is Jessica Pegula, who secured her place in the final with a thrilling comeback against Amanda Anisimova. Pegula, trailing by a set and a break, rallied to maintain her perfect record against Anisimova and set up a showdown with Svitolina.
“It’s incredibly special to be back in the final after a few years and to have another shot at lifting that beautiful trophy,” Svitolina said, reflecting on her return to the Top 10 following her recent journey into motherhood.
Svitolina has started her 2026 season with impressive form, reaching the semifinals in Australia and now eyeing a rise to No. 7 in the rankings with a win over Pegula. Although Pegula leads their head-to-head 5-3, Svitolina triumphed in their most recent encounter at the BNP Paribas Open last spring, setting the stage for an exciting final clash.