Swiatek Survives Marathon Three-Set Battle to Reach Dubai Open Final

Iga Swiatek demonstrated why she remains the world's top-ranked player, staging a remarkable comeback to defeat Aryna Sabalenka 2-6, 7-5, 6-3 in a pulsating Dubai Open semifinal on Saturday. The Polish superstar will now face Coco Gauff in Sunday's final after overcoming what many considered her toughest challenge of the tournament.

The match began disastrously for the defending champion, as Sabalenka's aggressive baseline game proved overwhelming in the opening set. The Belarusian struck 14 winners to just 3 unforced errors, breaking Swiatek's serve three times to take a commanding early advantage. Her powerful forehand repeatedly found the corners, leaving the normally composed Swiatek scrambling and visibly frustrated.

However, championship pedigree and mental fortitude are what separate the elite from the very good, and Swiatek began to find her rhythm in the second set. She started moving better laterally, extending rallies and forcing Sabalenka into longer exchanges that favored the Pole's superior court coverage and defensive skills.

The turning point came at 5-4 in the second set when Swiatek saved three match points through a combination of brilliant shot-making and Sabalenka uncharacteristic errors. A perfectly timed drop shot followed by a passing winner down the line electrified the crowd and visibly shifted the momentum.

In the deciding set, Swiatek's experience in high-pressure situations became evident. She broke early and never looked back, using her trademark forehand to dictate play from the baseline. Sabalenka, who had seemed so dominant early on, began to press for winners and made crucial errors at key moments.

The victory extends Swiatek's winning streak to 12 matches and sets up a mouth-watering final against the rising American star Coco Gauff. The 22-year-old will be seeking her second Dubai title and her first WTA 1000 trophy of the season when she takes to the court on Sunday evening.