It took more than three hours of relentless shot-making, nerves of steel, and emotional endurance for Elina Svitolina to outlast Coco Gauff in a dramatic semifinal clash. The Ukrainian edged the world number four 6-4, 6(13)-7, 6-4, booking a championship showdown with Jessica Pegula at the Dubai Tennis Championships.

The victory marked Svitolina’s second straight win over Gauff in 2026 after her Australian Open quarterfinal triumph, but this time, the battle was far more brutal. A match swinging on momentum, courage, and sheer willpower became an early contender for match of the year. Svitolina struggled to find the words to describe the moment after surviving one of the toughest encounters of her comeback season.

“I’m speechless after that fight. I was really trying to put myself out there and was playing like there is no tomorrow. Trying to put all the effort. Thank you so much for your support. Really, really special to be again in the final here after a few years and have another chance to lift that beautiful trophy.”

Elina Svitolina also praised her opponent’s resilience, acknowledging she fully expected a comeback. “Coco is such a big fighter. I was expecting that she would come back in the match. She won so many big battles, big tournaments. I had to keep fighting, keep pushing. I’m very pleased with the fight and with the win today.”

The encounter unfolded as a tactical chess match from the start. Gauff initially broke for a 3-1 lead, but Svitolina immediately restored parity and pounced at 4-all to capture the opener 6-4 - helped by persistent forehand errors from the American. The second set turned chaotic. Breaks were traded repeatedly before the match exploded into the longest tiebreak on the WTA Tour in 2026: 28 points played, 7 lead changes, 5 set points for Gauff, and 4 match points for Svitolina.

Despite holding four chances to finish it, Svitolina watched Gauff save them all and steal the breaker 15-13, electrifying the crowd and forcing a decider. But the Ukrainian never lost composure. In the third set, both players held serve until a marathon ninth game - seven deuces long, shifted everything. Gauff held two break points for a potential winning position, yet Svitolina refused to yield, earning the decisive lead before serving out the match.

When Coco Gauff’s final forehand hit the net, Svitolina dropped her racket and wrote a powerful message on the camera lens: “Fight like Ukraine.” The victory carried significance beyond just reaching another final.

• First WTA 1000 final since 2018
• Longest gap between WTA 1000 finals: 7 years, 277 days
• First WTA 1000 final as a mother
• 24th career WTA final
• 6th WTA 1000 final
• 46th career Top-10 win
• 25th career Top-5 win
• Third Dubai final (won 2017 & 2018)
• Leads head-to-head vs Gauff 3-2

Once ranked World No. 3 before motherhood, Svitolina’s resurgence now sees her competing toe-to-toe with the new generation and beating them.

Standing between Svitolina and a perfect 3-for-3 Dubai finals record is Pegula, against whom she trails 3-5 at the tour level. With limited recovery time after a physically draining semifinal, another battle is expected.

Yet if the semifinal proved anything, it’s that the Ukrainian thrives in survival mode, and she knows the final will demand the same mindset. After all, as she put it herself, she’s playing like there is no tomorrow. 

What did Elina Svitolina say about facing Jessica Pegula in the Dubai Tennis Championships final?

After surviving a three-hour semifinal classic, Elina Svitolina now has barely any time to recover before taking on Jessica Pegula for the Dubai Tennis Championships title - and she knows the task will demand another battle of endurance. The Ukrainian, playing her third final at the event, admitted recovery will be just as important as tactics heading into the championship clash.

“We’ll do everything possible. Physios are here trying to help me speed up the recovery. Of course, it’s not going to be easy. It’s a final. It’s important to give your everything. I will do my very best to recover and really be there for this big final. For me, it’s important just to keep fighting and trying to do everything that I can. We’ll see how it goes.”

Dubai has long been one of Svitolina’s happiest hunting grounds. She now holds 24 match wins at the tournament - the most by any woman in history, surpassing Caroline Wozniacki (22), while legends like Jelena Jankovic, Svetlana Kuznetsova (21 each), and Venus Williams (19) trail behind. This will be her third Dubai final, while Pegula is appearing in her first. Although Pegula leads the head-to-head 5-3, Svitolina has won two of their last three meetings, including Indian Wells last season - a sign that momentum may be shifting.

After defeating Coco Gauff in the semifinal, Elina Svitolina also addressed Ukrainian fans in the crowd and revealed the emotional motivation behind her performances. “Very special to see so many flags. For me, I’m fighting all the time when I’m down. When I feel all the emotions, I try to keep in my mind the really difficult times that Ukraine is going through. I’m very lucky to be here performing and representing Ukraine. I try to do it in a decent way.”

For Gauff, the semifinal ended painfully - 46 forehand unforced errors proved costly despite 48 total winners and a remarkable comeback effort. “It’s tough to be on the losing end of a match like this, but there are a lot of positives to take from it. Elina played great, I thought I played great, and it came down to the wire. I’ll definitely learn from this match in the future.”

She added that reaching the semifinals despite poor form gives her confidence heading into the Sunshine Double. “Entering a tournament not in my best form and still making the semis means a lot, so hopefully I can take this momentum into Indian Wells and Miami.”

With limited recovery time and a rival she’s still chasing in the rivalry, Svitolina’s path to the trophy is clear - another fight awaits. And if her semifinal proved anything, it’s that she’s ready for one more. Who, according to you, is the favorite to win the title in Dubai, Elina Svitolina or Jessica Pegula?

Written by

Sayantan Roy

Sayantan Roy is a seasoned tennis journalist at EssentiallyTennis. He brings a deep tactical understanding to his coverage, breaking down head-to-head records, match dynamics, and on-court strategies with precision. For more than two years, Sayantan has been a key member of the Live Events desk, delivering real-time insights and data-backed predictions for the platform’s Matchday Preview section. His analytical approach has sparked editorial debates and drawn recognition from respected tennis voices, including commentator and analyst Olly_Tennis. Combining his experience in writing with a passion for insightful sports journalism, Sayantan’s work serves as a trusted reference point for tennis fans around the world.

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