Carlos Alcaraz converted his sixth match point to seal a dramatic victory over Andrei Rublev to reach the final of the Qatar Open, while Elina Svitolina beat Coco Gauff in a marathon match to reach the final of the Dubai Tennis Championships.
World No. 1 Alcaraz battled to an impressive 7-6 (7-3) 6-4 victory under the lights to extend his perfect start to 2026 to 11 matches.
The 22-year-old, who won the Australian Open crown in January to become the youngest man to complete a career Grand Slam, remained calm under pressure to reach the final in Doha for the first time.
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Alcaraz was in high spirits after defeating Rublev to reach the final of the Qatar Open
“I know what I’m capable of doing every time I step on the field, what I’m capable of doing,” Alcaraz said.
“The way I approach every match, I’m really proud of that. It’s something I’m trying to get better at and it’s paying off. I’m proud of myself (for) getting better and maturing.”
A struggling Rublev committed 14 unforced backhand errors in the first set but outwitted Alcaraz with a pinpoint forehand that broke the baseline as both players broke the other twice to go to a tiebreak.
Alcaraz had the courage to take a 6-3 lead as a frustrated Rublev repeatedly smashed the racket against his left knee, snapping the string.
Seven-time Grand Slam winner Alcaraz then pretended to slice, but hit a forehand down the sideline to win the first set.
Alcaraz broke Rublev twice to take a 5-3 lead in the second set and was serving for the match when the world number 14 saved three match points to break.
But Alcaraz tried to break again in the next game, and finally converted his sixth match point when Rublev’s backhand hit.
Czech star Jakub Mensik plays France’s Arthur Fils in the other semi-final later on Friday.
Tale of the Tape
Gauff wins EPIC tiebreak but falls to Svitolina
Elina Svitolina (right) continued her recent winning streak against Coco Gauff as she overpowered the American
Koko Gauf suffered a heartbreaking 6-4 6-7 (13-15) 6-4 loss to Ukraine Elina Svitolina in the semifinals of the Dubai Tennis Championship.
Svitolina secured a second straight win over the world No.4 in a grueling three-hour match, having previously defeated Gauff in straight sets in last month’s Australian Open quarter-finals.
Gauff won a 15-13 tiebreak in the second set – the longest tiebreak on the WTA Tour since Barbora Krejcikova defeated Taylor Townsend at the US Open – in which she saved four match points before converting her seventh set point.
The momentum swung back and forth in the decider, and the ninth game proved to be crucial because it went to deuces on several occasions. Svitolina eventually held her nerve to lead 5-4 before serving out to seal a hard-fought victory.
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Highlights of the Dubai Tennis Championships match between Svitolina and Gauff
“I was speechless after that fight. I was really trying to get out, playing like there was no tomorrow,” said Svitolina.
“It’s really special to be in the final again after a few years. Coco is such a great fighter. I was expecting her to come back in the match. She’s won so many big tournaments. I’m very happy with the fight and the win.”
Pegula fights back to defeat Anisimova
Jessica Pegula fought back from 6-1 3-1 down to beat American Amanda Anisimova in Dubai
Jessica Pegula battled back from the brink to defeat American Amanda Anisimova 1-6 6-4 6-3 to reach the eighth WTA 1000 final of her career.
Wimbledon and US Open finalist Anisimova needed less than half an hour to win the first set before taking a 3-1 lead in the second set.
But Pegula held her nerve and broke Anisimova three times in a row to win the second set, before securing victory in the decider.
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Highlights of the Dubai Tennis Championship match between Pegula and Anisimova
“It’s not like we have very easy matches,” said world No. 5 Pegula after her fifth consecutive win over Anisimova.
“I think I’m able to take some time off her. I’m able to hit a low, flat ball and not let her set up and go for her big shots, which is what she’s good at. I try to take advantage of that as best I can and then mix in some variety, change things up.
“We had a lot of cat and mouse points, and they mostly went my way. So that was good.”
Venus Williams returns to Indian Wells with a wild card
Venus Williams has been awarded a wildcard entry into Indian Wells
Seven-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams received a wild card entry to Indian Wells.
Williams, 45, will compete in singles and doubles at the event in the Southern California desert.
“It’s great to be back in Indian Wells and to be back home in California,” Williams said.
“There’s nothing like competing in front of these amazing fans. I’ve made so many fun memories here over the years and I’m grateful to the tournament for bringing me back.”
The four-time Olympic gold medalist and former world No. 1 reached the semifinals of Indian Wells three times. She last competed there in 2024, also as a wild card.
Williams played at this year’s Australian Open and last year with partner Leila Fernandez reached the doubles quarterfinals of the US Open.
The tournament will be held from March 1 to 15 – live on Ski Sports Tennis.
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