Coco Gauff Advances to Dubai Championships Semifinals with Dominant Performance

Coco Gauff continued her impressive start to the 2026 season with a commanding 6-2, 6-1 victory over two-time Grand Slam champion Victoria Azarenka in the quarterfinals of the Dubai Championships on Thursday.

The 22-year-old American needed just 68 minutes to dispatch the experienced Belarusian, showcasing the aggressive baseline game that has made her one of the most exciting talents in women's tennis. Gauff's forehand was particularly devastating, as she struck 24 winners compared to just 12 unforced errors.

Gauff broke serve five times during the match and never faced a break point on her own serve, demonstrating the kind of clinical performance that has become her trademark in big moments. The victory marks her first WTA semifinal appearance of the season and continues her strong form following a solid Australian Open showing.

"I felt really comfortable out there today," Gauff said in her post-match interview. "Victoria is such a great champion and has given me trouble in the past, so I knew I had to be aggressive from the first point. My serve was working well, and I was able to dictate most of the rallies."

The win sets up a semifinal clash with either Iga Swiatek or Elena Rybakina, both of whom Gauff has competitive records against. The American has been working extensively with her coaching team on improving her net game and court positioning, changes that were evident in today's dominant display.

Gauff's early-season form has many tennis analysts predicting a breakthrough year for the former world No. 3. With her 23rd birthday approaching in March, the Atlanta native appears to be entering her prime years with renewed confidence and an expanded tactical arsenal that could see her challenge for multiple major titles this season.