Gauff, Pegula and Andreeva advance on blustery day at Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships 2026
Walkovers and straight-set wins shape third-day action
DUBAI – Amid glorious winter sunshine at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, the WTA 1000 week gathered pace on Tuesday as a raft of seeded players secured early passage to the Round of 16.
Blustery winds swept across the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium, adding an extra layer of complexity to proceedings on day three.
Nine matches were completed during the daylight session, with several leading contenders asserting their authority.
Gauff advances
The USA’s Coco Gauff, the World No. 4 and third seed this week, overcame Anna Kalinskaya in straight sets, 6-4, 6-4, in just over 90 minutes on Centre Court. With swirling gusts disrupting rhythm and timing, momentum swung repeatedly between the two. Gauff ultimately steadied herself in key moments to defeat an opponent who had beaten her en route to the 2024 final.
“It wasn’t the prettiest win, but it was enough for today,” said Gauff, acknowledging the challenging conditions. “It was pretty windy, it felt very open on the Royal Box side, so I was trying to adjust a lot and was struggling with consistency. Every time I’ve been here, it’s not been windy so today was different.”
Gauff now faces Belgium’s Elise Mertens in the last 16 after Mertens dispatched 14th seed Emma Navarro 6-2, 6-2 in 75 minutes on New Court 1. Looking ahead, Gauff added: “I feel fine, it wasn’t that long of a match. My focus will be more trying to work on things I need for tomorrow’s match.”
American clash
Fourth seed Jessica Pegula required only 70 minutes to defeat French qualifier Varvara Gracheva 6-4, 6-0 on Centre Court. The World No. 5 produced a clinical display, racing through the second set to seal her place in the next round.
Her victory sets up an all-American encounter with 16th seed Iva Jovic, who overcame Diana Shnaider 6-4, 1-6, 6-0 in a fluctuating contest. Jovic’s decisive third set ensured she remains firmly in contention as the tournament moves into its latter stages.
On Court 2, last year’s defeated finalist Clara Tauson maintained her strong run with a 6-2, 6-4 victory over the USA’s Peyton Stearns.
Having already eliminated Sofia Kenin, the 2020 Australian Open champion, in the opening round, Tauson now prepares for a meeting with Poland’s Magda Linette. Linette earlier knocked out World No. 12 Ekaterina Alexandrova, the eighth seed, 6-2, 4-6, 6-1.
Walkovers issued
Former champion Belinda Bencic progressed after receiving a walkover following the injury withdrawal of Czech wildcard Sara Bejlek. Fifth seed and reigning Dubai champion Mirra Andreeva also advanced via walkover after Russian-Australian Daria Kasatkina withdrew before play.
Andreeva will meet Romania’s Jaqueline Cristian in the last 16 after Cristian progressed when qualifier Ella Seidel retired trailing 6-0.
Elsewhere, Croatia’s Antonia Ruzic, the lucky loser who eliminated Britain’s Emma Raducanu on Monday evening, continued her impressive run. Ruzic defeated Anastasia Zakharova 6-1, 6-7, 6-1, completing a second three-set battle in under 24 hours.
Depending on Tuesday evening’s results, Ruzic could face top seed Elena Rybakina in the last 16. The Kazakh is scheduled to take on Australian qualifier Kimberly Birrell on Centre Court at 7pm.
The 26th edition of the annual WTA event runs until February 21 and features 16 of the world’s top 20 players, alongside 33 of the top 40. The Championships are owned and organised by Dubai Duty Free and held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. The tournament will be followed by the emirate’s annual ATP 500 men’s event from February 23 to 28.
Multiple ticket categories remain available for the 2026 Championships, with prices starting from Dh65.