Tennis Shocker: Unseeded American Coco Gauff Upsets Swiatek in Dubai Semifinals

American tennis sensation Coco Gauff produced the upset of the year so far, defeating world No. 1 Iga Swiatek 7-6 (7-4), 6-3 in the Dubai Championships semifinals to reach her first WTA 1000 final since last summer. The 22-year-old's aggressive baseline game and improved serving proved too much for the defending champion, who was seeking her third consecutive Dubai title.

Gauff started the match with intent, immediately putting pressure on Swiatek's serve and dictating play with her powerful forehand. The American broke early in the opening set, but Swiatek showed her championship mettle by breaking back immediately. The set remained tight throughout, with both players holding serve under pressure until the tiebreaker, where Gauff's composure shone through.

The turning point came early in the second set when Gauff broke Swiatek's serve for a 2-1 lead. The American's improved first-serve percentage, sitting at 73% for the match, kept Swiatek on the defensive and prevented the Polish player from settling into her rhythm. Gauff's court coverage was exceptional, turning several defensive positions into offensive opportunities with her speed and power.

Swiatek, who had won 18 of her last 19 matches coming into the semifinal, struggled to find her trademark consistency. The world No. 1 committed 31 unforced errors compared to Gauff's 22, a rare occurrence for one of the tour's most reliable players. Her typically dominant forehand appeared rushed at crucial moments, allowing Gauff to stay in rallies and eventually take control.

For Gauff, the victory represents a significant milestone in her development as a player. After struggling with consistency issues during the latter half of 2025, the American has looked rejuvenated in Dubai, dropping just one set en route to the final. Her serving, long considered a weakness, has shown marked improvement with 8 aces against Swiatek and a first-serve win percentage of 81%.

"I knew I had to be aggressive from the start against Iga," Gauff said after the match. "She's such a great champion, so I couldn't wait for opportunities - I had to create them myself. My serve felt really good today, and that gave me confidence to go for my shots."

The victory sets up a mouth-watering final against either former world No. 1 Naomi Osaka or rising star Linda Nosková, both of whom have shown excellent form this week. For Gauff, reaching the Dubai final represents a perfect start to what many believe could be her breakthrough season on the WTA Tour.

Swiatek, meanwhile, will look to regroup quickly with Indian Wells just around the corner. Despite the defeat, the Polish star remains firmly atop the WTA rankings and will be heavily favored to bounce back at the first WTA 1000 event of the North American swing.