This year’s WTA1000 event in Dubai was wide open without World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka and No. 2 Iga Swiatek, and top seed Elena Rybakina was eliminated earlier. The American contingent made the most of it, with three players in the semifinals. However, two-time champion Elina Svitolina crashed the party and defeated Coco Gauff to set up a mouthwatering encounter against #4 seed Jessica Pegula. As always, we at LWOT will offer predictions for this final, but which player will lift the trophy?
WTA Dubai Final Prediction
Jessica Pegula vs Elina Svitolina
Head-to-Head:
Jessica Pegula has shown incredible consistency to start the season, and this time she has made it to the final after two semifinal losses in Australia. Pegula got the better of compatriot Amanda Anisimova for the second time this season, this time coming back from a set down. Pegula’s infallible consistency proved to be too much to overcome once again for Anisimova. It’s been a while since Pegula won a title on hard courts, and with the form she is in, her chances are high to do so.
Elina Svitolina did brilliantly to recover from a marathon second-set loss to defeat Coco Gauff in a thrilling encounter. This was Svitolina’s third consecutive match, which went the distance. Svitolina saved a crucial break point in the ninth game of the third set and then broke in the next game to win the match.
These two have been two of the most consistent performers this season, and it is fitting they are in the final. Svitolina is playing more aggressively than before and will need to keep it up to shorten the points against the consistency and depth of Pegula. Four of the last five matches between these two have gone the distance, and I expect the same. Pegula should have the advantage if this goes the distance, and I am backing her to edge this out.
Prediction: Pegula in 3
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey-Imagn Images
