Shocking Upset at Dubai Tennis Championships as Qualifier Defeats Former World Number One

The Dubai Tennis Championships witnessed one of the biggest upsets of the 2026 tennis season as Romanian qualifier Elena Petrovic stunned former world number one Karolina Pliskova 6-4, 6-2 to advance to her first WTA semifinal. The 21-year-old s fearless performance on Centre Court left the packed crowd in disbelief and announced her arrival as a genuine force on the professional tour.

Petrovic, ranked 127th in the world and playing just her second WTA main draw event, displayed remarkable composure against the Czech veteran who boasts three Grand Slam finals appearances. The Romanian s aggressive baseline game and pinpoint accuracy on her forehand winners proved too much for Pliskova, who struggled with her usually reliable serve throughout the match.

The breakthrough came in the seventh game of the first set when Petrovic converted her third break point with a stunning cross-court backhand winner that clipped the line. The youngster never looked back, maintaining her intensity and focus to close out the opening set before dominating the second with a series of powerful groundstrokes that left Pliskova scrambling.

Petrovic s journey to the semifinals has been nothing short of remarkable. Having come through three qualifying rounds just to earn her place in the main draw, she has now defeated three seeded players including former top-10 star Elise Mertens in the previous round. Her fearless approach and natural shot-making ability have caught the attention of tennis legends watching courtside.

Former world number one Simona Halep, who has been mentoring young Romanian players, praised Petrovic s mental strength and tactical awareness. The seasoned champion noted that the qualifier s ability to maintain her aggressive style under pressure while making crucial adjustments mid-match shows the hallmarks of a future star.

The victory sets up a semifinal clash against defending champion Aryna Sabalenka, who advanced earlier in the day with a comfortable straight-sets win. Despite facing arguably the tournament s most dangerous player, Petrovic expressed confidence in her ability to continue her dream run, citing improved fitness and a newfound belief in her capabilities following months of dedicated training.