Pegula books her accustomed semi-final spot

Jessica Pegula pounded out a combative 6-3, 2-6, 6-4 defeat of Clara Tauson on Thursday to book her seventh straight semi-final place at  a Tour event, with the fourth seed advancing in Dubai.

Pegula needed just under two hours to secure a place in the final four, a run of form dating to the US open last September followed by Beijing, Wuhan and WTA Finals and Brisbane and the Australian Open this season.

The American  is competing in the emirate for the fifth time after also reaching the semis three years ago.

2025 Dubai runner-up Tauson saved a match point before Pegula put the issue to bed to advance after saving three set points for the Dane in the opening set.

Tauson levelled at a set each in tricky winds, breaking Pegula twice to send it into a deciding third.

Pegula then broke for 4-3, enough of a margin to see her through into the business end of the event.

“I’m starting to feel more like myself again after a tough stretch earlier in the season,” she said. “I’ve been serving better and moving well physically, and the work with my coaches have helped me get back to the roots of my game.”

She now takes on compatriot and WTA No. 6 Amanda Anisimova, who upset holder Mirra Andreeva 2-6, 7-5, 7-6 (4) that took two and a half hours to settle after several plot twists on the showcase court.

Anisimova came from 3-1 down to eventually take it into a tiebreaker, where she compiled a 5-1 lead on the way to the upset on her fourth match point.

“It was almost me in tears there at the end,” the winner said as the teenaged Andreeva broke down in tears of defeat.

“It was such a tough battle, Meera fought so hard today, she’s playing so well and was fighting like a champion on court. 

“It’s always tough that someone has to lose at the end of the day. We both played great, and I’m really happy to get through.”