Jessica Pegula ended a title-less run stretching back to before Wimbledon as she own the WTA Dubai event on Saturday 6-2, 6-4 over Elina Svitolina.

The runner-up, with two past trophies here, was unable to collect her second of the season after Auckland as Pegula dominated in 73 minutes at the Aviation club.

The American winner earned her first honours since winning Bad Homburg last June. she now owns ten titles including four at the elite 1000 level.

She becomes only the third form her nation to win here after Lindsay Davenport and three-time champion Venus Williams.

Pegula ran off early leads in both sets against Svitolina of Ukraine and broker on four of her 11 chances.

She delivered three aces while her opponent was plagued by five double-faults.

Pegula found her post-victory scenario momentarily paused as she had to wait for coach Mark Knowles to get off his phone before the pair could celebrate success.

Svitolina was low on reserves after her three-hour win 24 hours earlier in the semi-finals over Coco Gauff.

Pegula turns 32 on Tuesday and was pleased to be going home with a trophy.

“It’s a great birthday present for me. I get to celebrate by flying back home in a few hours. 

“Super happy to go home with the trophy. It was a great week.”

Finalist Svitolina emerged optimistic in defeat: “It was a tough match today.

“Congrats Jess for this wonderful week for you and your team. For me personally it was a great week. 

“I had lots of great battles. Today unfortunately, a little bit short.

But still very very happy to play here good tennis. I always love to play here. Very good feeling.”

Coco Gauff moved to within two wins of a China Open title double on Thursday as the top seed held off Eva Lys 6-3, 6-4 to reach the semi-finals on Thursday.

The defending champion will play next against US Open runner-up Amanda Anisimova, who defeated Jasmine Paolini 6-7 (4), 6-3, 6-4.

Gauff is aiming to become the first woman to win back-to-back titles at the WTA 1000 in Beijing. She last played Anisimova in 2022, taking a Wimbledon loss

“I’m happy with how I played today. She’s a tough opponent, she hit a couple of great shots on the run,” Gauff said of Germany’s 66th-ranked Lys.

“I need to stay confident in my game and not be too passive when I have the lead. I played one passive point in this match, but otherwise I played well.”

Gauff emerged after five straight breaks of serve to claim the opening set and came through in 88 minutes as she served out the semi-final victory.

The American second seed will be competing in her fourth semi of the season and has already qualified for the year-end championships in Saudi where she is defending that title..

Gauff improved to 14-1 career record in Beijing and is hoping to defend a title for the second time in her career after Auckland 2023-2024).

“I was trying my best to stay aggressive. Just staying confident in my game and not being too passive when I have the lead,” Gauff said in victory.

Gael Monfils revealed on Wednesday he will hang up his racquet at the end of the 2026 ATP season, ending his career at age 40.

The one-time world No. 6 with 13 career titles, explained his thinking in a social media post

“I had a racket in my hands for the first time at two and a half, and began playing professionally at 18,” he posted.

“Now, after celebrating my 39th birthday just a month ago, I’d like to share that the year ahead will be my last as a professional tennis player.”

Monfils added: “The opportunity to turn my passion into a profession is a privilege I have cherished during every match and moment of my 21-year career. 

“Though this game means the world to me, I am tremendously at peace with my decision to retire at the end of the 2026 tennis season.”

The colourful Frenchman will end a career which spanned more than two decades, with his last title earned in January at Auckland.

“When you love something so much, it never feels like a good time to say goodbye,” Monfils said.. “But 40 will be the right time for me. 

“Of course, winning one more title before I’m done would be truly incredible. Truthfully though, my only real goal for the year ahead is simple.

“To enjoy every minute, and to play each match like it’s my last.”

Monfils played Grand Slam semi-finals at Roland Garros (2008) and the 2016 US Open.

“Life is too short. Believe me when I say that I have no regrets. What I do have is the feeling that I have been lucky: insanely, stupidly lucky.”