Coco Gauff ended her two-match losing streak with a determined 6-4, 6-4 victory over Anna Kalinskaya at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, advancing to the round of 16.
The American fought back from deficits in both sets, showing resilience and improved composure. Although she admitted the performance was not her best, she emphasized staying positive and doing enough to secure the win. She also thanked the crowd for their support during key moments.
Gauff’s previous experiences in Dubai have been mixed. In 2024, she reached the quarterfinals after wins over Elisabetta Cocciaretto and Karolína Plíšková. Two years ago against Kalinskaya, she won the first set but eventually lost the match in three sets. This time, she responded better under pressure.
Coco Gauff after beating Kalinskaya in Dubai
“That was a rematch from 2024. What do you think you did differently this time to change that result?”
Coco: “Just trying to be more positive. It wasn’t the prettiest win but it was enough today… Thank you guys for coming to support… pic.twitter.com/xRfesoftWu
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) February 17, 2026
Coming into Dubai, Gauff had faced recent setbacks, including a quarterfinal loss to Elina Svitolina at the Australian Open and an early defeat in Doha. She has generally struggled during the Middle East swing, with inconsistent results in both Doha and Dubai over the years.
In the match against Kalinskaya, Gauff dropped the opening two games but quickly turned things around, winning four in a row. After Kalinskaya took a medical timeout for a leg issue, Gauff elevated her level and broke serve late to claim the first set. The second set followed a similar pattern, with Gauff recovering from a 3-1 deficit and breaking again at 5-4 to close out the match.
Gauff has previously noted the challenges of the Middle East swing, citing heavy travel after Australia and difficult playing conditions. She explained that players often spend weeks in Australia, briefly return home, then quickly travel again to adjust to different climates. She also mentioned that the balls feel heavier in Doha due to the weather.
Next, Gauff faces Elise Mertens in the round of 16. She holds a 4-0 head-to-head record against Mertens and will aim to maintain her momentum as she pursues another deep run in Dubai.