Jessica Pegula Claims 10th WTA Title With Dubai Victory Over Elina Svitolina
Pegula Secures 10th WTA Title With Straight-Sets Win Over Svitolina in Dubai
American tennis star Jessica Pegula secured her 10th WTA Tour title and fourth WTA 1000 crown by defeating Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina 6-2, 6-4 in the Dubai Tennis Championships final. The victory, achieved two days before Pegula’s 32nd birthday, reinforced her position as the world No. 5 and the second-oldest woman to lift the Dubai trophy, behind Venus Williams in 2014, according to Reuters.
Dominant Performance in Dubai Final
Pegula established control early, racing to a 3-0 lead in the first set and breaking Svitolina twice before closing the set 6-2. In the second set, she combined powerful forehand winners with net play, sealing the championship with an ace. The match lasted 1 hour 12 minutes, per the WTA.
Her route to the final included victories over Iva Jovic in the Round of 16, Clara Tauson in the quarterfinals, and Amanda Anisimova in the semifinals, where she came from a set down to win 1-6, 6-4, 6-3, according to the USTA.
Milestones and Records
Pegula became the third American to win Dubai, joining Lindsay Davenport (2001) and three-time champion Venus Williams (2009, 2010, 2014). She is also the second-oldest champion, turning 32 on 24 February 2026. The win marked her sixth career victory over Svitolina and her first with both players ranked inside the Top 10 (WTA).
The American also achieved four Top 20 wins in a single tournament, a feat she previously accomplished at the 2023 WTA Finals, underscoring her consistent high-level performance.
Strength of U.S. Women’s Tennis
The Dubai semifinals featured three Americans: Pegula, Coco Gauff, world No. 4, and Anisimova, world No. 5, demonstrating the depth of U.S. women’s tennis. Pegula credited this competitive environment for motivating her and supporting younger players such as 18-year-old Jovic. “It’s been incredible being part of this era,” she told the USTA.
Pegula also reflected on her recent form: “I made seven consecutive semifinals and was like, ‘A title would be nice,’ and it did.”
Looking Ahead
Following Dubai, Pegula will continue her 2026 season on the WTA Tour, with eyes on upcoming events such as Indian Wells. Her victory in Dubai provides momentum as she seeks to extend her streak of deep tournament runs and further establish herself among the sport’s elite.
