Dubai Open: Coco Gauff Eases Past Anna Kalinskaya, Sets Up Elise Mertens Encounter

Last Updated:February 17, 2026, 19:03 IST

The 21-year-old American, Gauff, got the better of Kalinskaya in straight sets 6-4, 6-4, to set up a clash against Belgian Elise Mertens in the last 16.

Coco Gauff. (X)

American ace Coco Gauff rebounded from her unexpected early exit in Doha last week with a convincing win over Anna Kalinskaya at the WTA 1000 event in Dubai on Tuesday.

The 21-year-old, who was defeated by lucky loser Elisabetta Cocciaretto in her opening match in Qatar, avoided any such slip-up against Kalinskaya, comfortably winning the second-round clash 6-4, 6-4, to set up a clash against Belgian Elise Mertens in the last 16.

Earlier this week, the two-time Grand Slam champion made headlines with her comments on anti-immigration policies in the United States, stating: “I don’t think people should be dying in the streets for just existing.”

Despite struggling at times in Dubai, serving 12 double faults, Gauff broke Russian Kalinskaya’s serve six times to secure a victory in a scrappy match.

Mirra Andreeva and Belinda Bencic advanced with second-round walkovers.

Russian teenager Andreeva, who received a first-round bye, will compete against Romanian Jaqueline Cristian for a quarter-final spot after Daria Kasatkina withdrew due to a hip injury.

In-form Czech youngster Sara Bejlek, who won a title in Abu Dhabi earlier this month, also withdrew with an abdominal injury, allowing Bencic to advance to the third round.

American fourth seed Jessica Pegula sailed through with a 6-4, 6-0 victory over Varvara Gracheva and will next play compatriot Iva Jovic.

The tournament in Dubai, one of the 10 WTA 1000 competitions, has been significantly affected by the withdrawals of world number one Aryna Sabalenka and six-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek.

Second seed Amanda Anisimova also received a walkover on Monday after her second-round opponent Barbora Krejcikova pulled out.

(With Inputs From Agencies)

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