Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina produced one of the most significant wins of her career at the WTA 1000 tournament in Dubai, reaching the final for the first time in eight years after a dramatic semi-final victory. In the late Thursday evening match on 20 February, the 29-year-old defeated world number four Coco Gauff in a marathon encounter lasting three hours and six minutes, securing her place in the WTA 1000 final for the first time since 2018.

Played on the hard courts of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium, the match ended 6-4, 6-7(13), 6-4 and stands as one of the longest and most physically demanding matches of the current WTA season. The contest was defined by an exceptionally long second-set tie-break, multiple missed match points for Svitolina and frequent break opportunities for both players. The semi-final extended late into the evening and tested the physical endurance and mental resilience of both athletes.

With this win, Svitolina advances to her first WTA 1000 final since lifting the title in Rome in May 2018, confirming her strong early-season form in 2026 and underlining her return to the upper tier of women’s tennis. Details of the match and its wider significance for the tournament are reported by The WP Times editorial team.

A defining win in Dubai

The victory marks Svitolina’s return to the latter stages of the sport’s biggest tournaments. The former world number three is competing in only her second event since reaching the semi-finals of the Australian Open in January, where she recorded her best Grand Slam result in several years. After an early exit in Doha last week, Dubai has provided a clearer indication of her form and fitness. Svitolina arrived at the semi-finals having already spent more than six hours on court, advancing past Spain’s Paula Badosa by retirement before winning back-to-back three-set matches against Belinda Bencic and Antonia Ružić. Against Gauff, she faced her highest-ranked opponent of the tournament and produced her longest completed match.

First set: early setback, controlled recovery

Gauff made the sharper start, breaking serve to move 3-1 ahead as she dictated play with pace from the baseline. Svitolina responded by increasing depth and consistency, particularly on the backhand wing, and gradually reduced Gauff’s margin for error. The Ukrainian recovered the break and edged ahead for the first time at 5-4. Serving for the set, she converted her second set point with a well-timed approach to the net, closing the opening set after 52 minutes.

Second set: missed chances and a marathon tie-break

The second set developed into the most demanding phase of the match. Service holds became increasingly hard-fought, with both players regularly pushed to deuce. At 6-5, Gauff earned two set points on Svitolina’s serve, but both were saved as the Ukrainian produced her most aggressive returns of the match. The set moved into a tie-break that would last 28 points and more than 20 minutes.

Svitolina held four match points during the breaker but was unable to convert any of them, as Gauff responded with powerful forehands under pressure. The American eventually claimed the tie-break 15-13, forcing a deciding set and extending the contest beyond the three-hour mark.

Third set: composure under pressure

Gauff took an early 1-0 lead in the final set, but it was her only advantage of the decider. Svitolina immediately broke back and began to vary the height and spin of her shots, disrupting Gauff’s rhythm. The key moment came at 4-4, when Svitolina faced two break points that would have allowed Gauff to serve for the match. Both were saved with accurate first serves and disciplined baseline play. Holding for 5-4, Svitolina then applied pressure on Gauff’s serve. She earned several match points and converted the fifth opportunity when Gauff sent a backhand wide, ending a contest that tested both players’ endurance.

Statistical and seasonal context

The semi-final was Svitolina’s longest match of the tournament and her second win over Gauff in 2026, following a straight-sets victory in the quarter-finals of the Australian Open. It is also her first appearance in a WTA 1000 final since May 2018, when she won the Rome title by defeating Simona Halep. Since that season, injuries and extended breaks have limited her presence at the very top of the women’s game.

Dubai’s hard courts have historically suited Svitolina’s counterpunching style, and her ability to sustain intensity late into matches has been a notable feature of her campaign this week.

Final against Pegula

In Saturday’s final, Svitolina will face world number five Jessica Pegula, who advanced from the opposite half of the draw. Pegula leads their head-to-head record 5-3, though Svitolina has won two of their most recent meetings. Recovery will be a key factor following such an extended semi-final, but Svitolina’s performance against Gauff provides encouragement that she can compete physically at the highest level over long matches. Regardless of the outcome of the final, the victory in Dubai represents a significant milestone in Svitolina’s comeback and confirms her return as a contender at WTA 1000 level.

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