Aryna Sabalenka Captures Dubai Tennis Championships Title in Straight Sets

Aryna Sabalenka continued her exceptional form in 2026, capturing the Dubai Tennis Championships title with a commanding 6-3, 6-4 victory over Coco Gauff in today's final at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium. The Belarusian's dominant performance marks her second WTA title of the season and extends her winning streak to 12 matches.

Sabalenka started aggressively from the opening game, using her trademark power baseline game to dictate play against the American teenager. The world number two broke Gauff's serve twice in the first set, capitalizing on her opponent's uncharacteristic service struggles. Sabalenka's first-serve percentage of 78% in the opening set proved crucial, winning 85% of those points and giving Gauff few opportunities to mount a comeback.

The second set proved more competitive as Gauff, the 2023 US Open champion, found her rhythm and began to match Sabalenka's intensity. The American saved three break points in the fourth game and held serve to level at 2-2, drawing enthusiastic support from the crowd. However, Sabalenka's experience and mental toughness proved decisive in the crucial moments.

The turning point came in the seventh game when Sabalenka converted her fourth break point of the set with a blistering forehand winner down the line. The 25-year-old then served out the match with authority, closing out the victory with her 11th ace of the contest to claim the title in one hour and 32 minutes.

Sabalenka's victory in Dubai represents her continued ascent in women's tennis, building on her breakthrough 2023 season that included her first Grand Slam title at the Australian Open. The former world number one has now won 23 of her last 25 matches, establishing herself as the player to beat heading into the spring hard court season.

For Gauff, the runner-up finish represents another valuable learning experience against top-level competition. The 19-year-old American showed tremendous fighting spirit throughout the tournament, defeating former world number one Simona Halep and rising star Emma Navarro en route to the final.

The Dubai tournament attracted a high-quality field, with several top-10 players competing in the $3 million event. Sabalenka's path to the title included impressive victories over Petra Kvitova, Barbora Krejcikova, and Jessica Pegula, showcasing the depth of her game on the hard courts.

Looking ahead, both players will shift their focus to the upcoming Indian Wells Masters, where Sabalenka will aim to defend her title from last year. The Belarusian's current form suggests she will be among the favorites when the tennis tour moves to California for the prestigious BNP Paribas Open next month.