Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff faced off in the first 2023 Dubai Championships semifinal as both of them wanted to play for the trophy.
Previously, both players showed some good hitting in Dubai and benefited from withdrawals from their opponents. While Swiatek avoided a quarterfinal clash with former world no. 1, Karolina Pliskova, Gauff didn't have to play in the second round against reigning Wimbledon champion, Elena Rybakina.
Last year, the young Pole and American teenager met four times, and Swiatek won all three matches in two sets, not allowing her opponent to win more than three games in any of the sets.
The world no. 1 started well also in Dubai when she broke Gauff's serve twice and served for the first set at 5-2. However, the American broke back, and she almost added another break to level the score. But Swiatek eventually used her fifth set point to win the first set 6-4.
In the second set, the Pole seemed to be unstoppable. After losing the first rally of the set, she won 13 consecutive points and build a massive 4-0 lead.
Once again, Gauff broke back once, but after being broken again, she couldn't find any answers to Swiatek's questions, as the three-time Grand Slam champion won the match 6-4, 6-2.
In the final, Swiatek will play against winner of the match between the third-seeded Jessica Pegula and the 2021 Roland Garros champion, Barbora Krejcikova.
0 Comments