Jessica Pegula Battles Past Anisimova to Reach Dubai Final

Pegula rallies to defeat Anisimova

Jessica Pegula overcomes 1-6 deficit to beat Amanda Anisimova 6-4, 6-3 in Dubai semi-finals.

“It’s not like we have really easy matches...”

Jessica Pegula made a stunning comeback against fellow American Amanda Anisimova, overcoming a 1-6 loss in the first set to win 6-4, 6-3 in the Dubai Tennis Championships semi-finals. This marks Pegula's eighth WTA 1000 final, showcasing her remarkable resilience and skill.

Anisimova, ranked world number six, initially dominated the match, taking the first set in under 30 minutes and building a 3-1 lead in the second. However, Pegula regrouped and broke Anisimova three times in a row, winning the second set and setting the stage for a thrilling decider.

"It’s not like we have really easy matches ... we had a lot of cat and mouse points and they mostly went my way so that was good,” world number five Pegula said ⁠after her fifth straight win over Anisimova.

Amanda Anisimova, a formidable opponent who reached the finals of Wimbledon and the US Open last year, initially frustrated Jessica Pegula with her aces. However, Pegula adapted, drawing Anisimova into longer rallies and plotting her comeback despite winning only six of her 16 service points in the first set.

Pegula's strategy paid off as she made Anisimova run back and forth with short slices, ultimately winning the second set with a powerful backhand that sent Anisimova's return flying long. This marked a turning point in the match, showcasing Pegula's determination and skill.

Amanda Anisimova's exhaustion caught up with her as she attempted a drop shot, finding the net and setting up a crucial break point for Jessica Pegula, who took a decisive 3-1 lead in the third set. This pivotal moment shifted the match in Pegula's favor, ultimately leading to her 1-6, 6-4, 6-3 victory over Anisimova.

Looks up “comeback” in the dictionary…spots Jessica Pegula 😤#DDFTennis pic.twitter.com/gITEMlRD3g

— wta (@WTA) February 20, 2026

Meanwhile, Coco Gauff's hopes for an all-American final were dashed as she faced off against Ukraine's Elina Svitolina in the other semi-final. Svitolina emerged victorious, winning 6-4, 6-7 (13/15), 6-4 in a thrilling three-hour match. Svitolina's experience and consistency proved decisive, setting up a final showdown with Pegula.