"Aggressive Without Overdoing It": Pegula Reveals Keys to Dubai Final vs. Svitolina

Pegula vs. Svitolina in Dubai WTA 1000 Final: Top-10 Rivals Clash for 9th Time as American Holds 5-3 Head-to-Head Edge

© MARTIN KEEP / AFP

Adrien Guyot

le 21/02/2026 à 10h22

1 min to read

Dubaï Pegula Jessica Svitolina Elina

This Saturday, the Dubai WTA 1000 final takes center stage. Jessica Pegula will face Elina Svitolina at 4 p.m. (French time) in a top-10 showdown.

The American, down 6-1, 3-1, came back to defeat Amanda Anisimova (1-6, 6-4, 6-3) to reach her first final at the Emirati event. After a slow start, the player who turns 32 on February 24 will take on the Ukrainian, a two-time Dubai champion in 2017 and 2018.

Pegula Targets 4th WTA 1000 Title

Pegula, battling for a fourth WTA 1000 title after wins in Guadalajara (2022) and the National Bank Open (2023, 2024), anticipates a tactical battle against the world No. 9.

The pair have met eight times, with the Buffalo native currently leading 5-3. However, Svitolina has won two of the last three encounters, including the most recent in the round of 16 at Indian Wells last year.

"We Have a Pretty Similar Playing Style"

"I think the last time I played Elina (Svitolina) was at Indian Wells last year. So it's been about a year since I last faced her. Our matches are always tight; we have a pretty similar playing style.

I'd say we're both more counterpunchers, but we can also play aggressively. We're very solid, I think, on both forehand and backhand.

Against her, it always feels like a mix of trying to be aggressive without overdoing it, because she moves really well too and has great defense," Pegula told Tennis World USA.