Gauff, Rybakina Advance Strongly in Dubai Open

American star Coco Gauff made a strong comeback at the Dubai WTA 1000 tournament after her early exit in Doha last week. The third seed defeated Russia’s Anna Kalinskaya 6-4, 6-4 in the second round on Tuesday.

Gauff had suffered a shock defeat in her opening match in Qatar, losing to lucky loser Elisabetta Cocciaretto. However, she avoided another upset in Dubai and secured a straight-sets victory to move into the last 16.

Although Gauff committed 12 double faults and struggled at times due to windy conditions, she managed to break Kalinskaya’s serve six times in a competitive match.

“It wasn’t the prettiest one, but it was enough for today,” Gauff said after the match. “It was pretty windy. Both of us were struggling with consistency.”

Gauff will now face Belgium’s Elise Mertens in the next round.

Earlier this week, Gauff also made headlines for her comments on anti-immigration policies in the United States, saying, “I don’t think people should be dying in the streets for just existing.”

Meanwhile, top seed and Australian Open champion Elena Rybakina started her Dubai campaign in dominant style. The Kazakh player defeated Kimberly Birrell 6-1, 6-2 in just 60 minutes.

Rybakina will next face Croatian lucky loser Antonia Ruzic, who defeated Anastasia Zakharova 6-1, 6-7 (2/7), 6-1 to reach the last 16.

In other matches, Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva advanced after receiving a second-round walkover. She will face Romania’s Jaqueline Cristian in the next round after Daria Kasatkina withdrew due to a hip injury.

Swiss player Belinda Bencic also progressed after Czech youngster Sara Bejlek pulled out with an abdominal injury. Bencic will now take on seventh seed Elina Svitolina, who moved ahead after Paula Badosa retired following the first set of their match.

American fourth seed Jessica Pegula delivered a strong performance, defeating Varvara Gracheva 6-4, 6-0. She will next play fellow American Iva Jovic.

The Dubai tournament, one of the 10 WTA 1000 events on the calendar, has been affected by several high-profile withdrawals. World number one Aryna Sabalenka and six-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek did not participate.

Second seed Amanda Anisimova received a walkover after Barbora Krejcikova withdrew from their match. Canadian teenager Victoria Mboko, who reached the Qatar Open final last week, also pulled out before the tournament due to an elbow injury.

With many top players missing, the competition in Dubai remains wide open as the remaining contenders battle for a place in the quarter-finals.