Elina Svitolina is a WTA 1000 finalist once again, having beaten Coco Gauff in a gruelling three-set thriller earlier this evening.
However, at one stage, it threatened to be a non-contest.
The American was far more competitive than in their last meeting at the Australian Open, but when she lost the first set, many feared for what the scoreline might become.
Alas, those who doubted her ability to fight back were swiftly made to look foolish, as she came through a hard-fought second set in a tiebreak that consisted of 28 points.
Svitolina would gain the crucial edge in the deciding third set and delivered a suitably emotional post-match reaction too.
Elina Svitolina praises Coco Gauff after beating her in Dubai
Speaking on court, the Ukrainian star was stunned as she grasped her head in disbelief.
She had outlasted the sport’s most dogged, gritty opponent, and was unsurprisingly breathless as she was asked to speak to the crowd.
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Svitolina began by claiming: “To be honest, I am speechless after that fight out there. I was playing like there was no tomorrow, just trying to put in all the effort. Thank you so much for all your support. It’s really special to be again in the final after a few years and to get that beautiful trophy.”
Then, asked about losing the second set, she would praise Coco Gauff for that never-say-die attitude which turned this contest into such a thriller.
She added: “Coco is such a big fighter. I was expecting she would come back in the match. She has won so many big battles and big tournaments. I had to keep fighting and pushing. I was just trying to win that match, and I’m very pleased with the fight and win today.”
It was the same old disappointing story for Coco Gauff vs Elina Svitolina
Whilst Svitolina will deservedly gain huge praise for her performance to reach another WTA 1000 final, Gauff will feel frustrated to have let another match slip through her grasp.
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Especially when she was effectively playing with one hand tied behind her back, battling against her own misfiring forehand and unpredictable serve.
So often double faults emerged at crucial moments, and at times, as she was meticulously building a point, her forehand would go randomly astray.
This has been the story with Gauff for what feels like forever, and many will now be questioning Gavin MacMillan’s place within her coaching staff, given he was brought in to fix these very issues.
Gauff even appeared to shout at her coach mid-match, questioning his methods after another double fault.
It was another disappointing and hugely frustrating night for the 21-year-old, whose unrelenting spirit was not enough to push her into the final.
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