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.
WTA 1000 Dubai 2/15 - 2/21 2026
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ashkor87
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Re: WTA 1000 Dubai 2/15 - 2/21 2026
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..jazzyg wrote: ↑Fri Feb 20, 2026 4:02 pm 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.
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ti-amie
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Honorary_medal
Re: WTA 1000 Dubai 2/15 - 2/21 2026
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)
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)
“Do not grow old, no matter how long you live. Never cease to stand like curious children before the Great Mystery into which we were born.” Albert Einstein
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ashkor87
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Re: WTA 1000 Dubai 2/15 - 2/21 2026
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.
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jazzyg
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Re: WTA 1000 Dubai 2/15 - 2/21 2026
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.
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.
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ponchi101
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Re: WTA 1000 Dubai 2/15 - 2/21 2026
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.
Ego figere omnia et scio supellectilem
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JTContinental
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Re: WTA 1000 Dubai 2/15 - 2/21 2026
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.
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ponchi101
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Re: WTA 1000 Dubai 2/15 - 2/21 2026
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.
I really think that the sole thing she needs to do with her serve is change her grip.
Ego figere omnia et scio supellectilem
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