US tennis star Coco Gauff battled for more than three hours on Friday, ultimately falling to Elina Svitolina 6-4, 6-7(13), 6-4 in the 2026 Dubai Championships semifinals.

Svitolina dominated the first set 6-4 and appeared headed for victory in the second set tiebreak, going on to hold four match points as Gauff faced elimination. However, the world No. 4 showed resilience, saving all four match points to eventually win the tiebreak 15-13 and force a deciding set.

The second-set tiebreak became one of the longest in Dubai history. Gauff fought off the match points with aggressive baseline play and clutch serving, forcing the world No. 9 to mentally regroup after letting the set slip away.

Gauff carried her momentum into the third set, though Svitolina managed to regain her composure and raise her level. The Ukrainian veteran broke Gauff’s serve in the final game to seal the victory on her sixth match point.

“Speechless after that fight,” Svitolina said postmatch. “I was really trying to put myself out there, and I was playing like there is no tomorrow, just trying to put all the effort in.”

Gauff exits Dubai after a strong week that included saving three match points against Elise Mertens in the third round and dominating Alexandra Eala in the quarterfinals. The 21-year-old reached her second Dubai semifinal, but fell short of the final.

What’s next for Svitolina after defeating Coco Gauff in Dubai

Svitolina now advances to face US star Jessica Pegula in Saturday’s Dubai Championships final — her first since 2018 and her first WTA 1000 final in nearly eight years.

Svitolina hits the hardcourt against Pegula tomorrow at 10 AM ET, live on The Tennis Channel.