WTA 1000 Dubai 2/15 - 2/21 2026

[jazzyg]

Aside from the serving, Gauff played much better today than she did against Mertens. It was a high-quality second set.

I had to leave before the start of the third, and I see it was as close as I thought it would be. I was not sure who would win after Gauff saved another three match points like she did against Mertens.

[ashkor87]

What a fantastic win for Pegula over Anisimova, who was destroying her on the way to a 6-1, 2-0, break point for a double break lead before Pegula found her game. She needed Anisimova to come down from her ridiculously high level, and she forced her to do exactly that by raising her own level significantly.

If she is not worn out, Pegula should beat either Gauff or Svitolina in the final.

I was not surprised in fact totally expected it. Pegula is simply better right now, AA is not yet Tier 1..she failed to pass the gatekeeper..both here and at the AO. Coco is more disturbing..she will probably fire her coach and get into a Raducanu spiral. Let us hope not..

[ti-amie]

Day 7 Order of Play

Center Court
Starts at 7:30 AM

Final
GER Siegemund/RUS Zvonareva vs CAN Dabrowski/BRA Stefani (5)
Starts: 16:30 (Venue) 07:30 (Your time)
Final
Upcoming
UKR E. Svitolina (7) vs USA J. Pegula (4)
Not before: 19:00 (Venue) 10:00 (Your time)

[ashkor87]

Just look at matchpoint in Coco's loss to Svitolina,- perfect illustration of what is wrong with her forehand..the ball came into her cramping her so instead of stepping away to make room, she just spoons it into the net. It is a footwork issue, i have always said - easy to fix but she isn't doing it.

[jazzyg]

Her last four sets were the best I've ever seen Pegula play, and I've always been higher on her potential than almost anyone.

She could win a hard court slam playing like this. Still an uphill battle against Sabalenka or Rybakina, but the game and variety are there when they were not previously.

[ponchi101]

Let's see how she does at IW and MIA. She is playing high level, but the missing players are who she needs to conquer.

[JTContinental]

I've come to accept that Coco's serve and forehand will always be a liability, but by and large she does just fine without them.

[ponchi101]

For a player that we can say will win around 4-5 slams, not bad.
I really think that the sole thing she needs to do with her serve is change her grip.

[ashkor87]

Serving problems are usually mental..

[ashkor87]

Yes, Pegula played well, seems to have improved, even, but let us not forget she did not have to beat a Tier 1 player- we must always give due credit to a winner- after all, she didn't decide the draw. But the field was not worthy of a 1000 event. Even Anisimova, good player though she is, could not have been expected to beat Pegula on a fast court..if they meet on a slower court like clay or even IW, I would expect AA to win..

[ashkor87]

https://www.essentiallysports.com/tenni ... 0587ee1f7f

How long before Coco changes coaches? She would be better off taking ownership.

[ponchi101]

One afternoon with Martina. That is all it would take.
Change the grip to an eastern BH, a bit more so for 2nd serves, and she will be on her way.
I know it is not easy; her grips are so extreme to the FH that it will not feel "good". But the rest of her motion is not bad.
Ok, maybe one weekend with Martina.

[ashkor87]

But the rest of her motion is not bad

i dont think there is anything much wrong with her motion except maybe hitting it a bit too late..double faults are usually in the head, in my experience - no professional player would hit any double faults at all if it wasnt, just as no basketball player woud ever miss a free throw.

[Suliso]

Pegula is also 32 - I don't think anyone of either gender has won the first Slam this late in their career.