Get ready for some thrilling tennis action as two rising stars, Coco Gauff and Iva Jovic, have stormed into the last 16 of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships! But here's where it gets exciting: their journeys to this stage were anything but straightforward. Let’s dive into the drama and skill that unfolded on the court.
On Tuesday, Coco Gauff secured her spot by avenging a previous loss to Anna Kalinskaya, clinching a 6-4, 6-4 victory in the second round. And this is the part most people miss: Kalinskaya, fresh off a quarter-final appearance in Doha, took a medical timeout for her left leg while trailing 4-3 in the first set. Despite the break, she couldn’t regain her footing, ultimately falling to Gauff. Gauff, who had suffered an opening loss in Doha to Elisabetta Cocciaretto, admitted, ‘It wasn’t the prettiest win, but it was enough today. The windy conditions made consistency a challenge for both of us.’
Next up for Gauff is Elise Mertens, who dispatched Emma Navarro in just 75 minutes, marking her first win over the American in three attempts. Controversially, some fans are already debating whether Mertens’ quick victory signals a potential upset in the making. What do you think—is Mertens a dark horse in this tournament?
Meanwhile, the tournament saw two former Dubai champions, Mirra Andreeva and Belinda Bencic, advance to the third round via walkover. Andreeva, the defending champion, progressed after Daria Kasatkina withdrew due to a right hip injury, while Bencic, the 2019 winner, was set to face wild card Sara Bejlek before the Czech withdrew with an abdominal injury. But here’s the real question: Do walkover victories diminish the competitive spirit of the tournament, or are they just part of the game?
Now, let’s talk about the meteoric rise of Iva Jovic. At just 18, Jovic battled past Diana Shnaider in a three-set thriller, 6-4, 1-6, 6-0, setting up a clash with fourth seed Jessica Pegula. And this is where it gets controversial: Jovic, ranked No. 167 just a year ago, has skyrocketed to the top 20 after winning her first WTA title in Guadalajara and reaching her first Grand Slam quarter-final at the Australian Open. Her rapid ascent has sparked debates about the sustainability of such early success. Can she maintain this momentum, or is she peaking too soon?
Jovic, who idolizes Novak Djokovic, admitted she’s still nervous around him but aspires to emulate his success. ‘I see him everywhere—on every screen, at every corner. I just try to be like Novak,’ she said. But here’s a thought-provoking question: With Djokovic’s dominance in men’s tennis, is it fair to compare a rising star like Jovic to such a legend? Share your thoughts in the comments!
For fans eager to catch all the action, the ATP and WTA Tours are available live on Sky Sports or streaming on NOW. With over 50% more live sport this year at no extra cost, there’s no better time to tune in. Don’t miss out—check out the latest scores, highlights, and expert analysis on the Sky Sports app. Who are you rooting for in Dubai? Let the debates begin!
