Kessler Upsets Gauff for Career-Defining Victory in Dubai

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — McCartney Kessler achieved a significant milestone in her career on Tuesday, securing her first top-10 victory by defeating third-ranked Coco Gauff 6-4, 7-5 at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships. The match, played on a rain-soaked Court 1, marked a dramatic turning point for Kessler, who had previously been 0-2 against top-10 players.

The upset unfolded under challenging circumstances, as a nearly five-hour rain delay postponed the start of the matches for the day. Kessler, a University of Florida alumna, took the court for the match after an extensive wait, almost nine hours after the day’s session began. Despite the delays, Kessler’s focus and determination propelled her forward, as she broke Gauff’s serve early and maintained control throughout the match.

Kessler, currently ranked No. 53 in the world, demonstrated her resiliency by saving five out of six break points, with her lone service loss coming while attempting to serve out the match at 6-4, 5-4. Gauff, who had been riding high with nine consecutive wins to start the year, struggled to find her rhythm, ultimately succumbing to Kessler’s relentless pressure.

“I’m incredibly proud of how I handled the pressure today,” Kessler said following her historic win, highlighting her confidence in representing herself on the WTA Tour. With this victory, she advances to the third round of a WTA 1000 event for the first time in her career and will face No. 14 seed Karolina Muchova, who defeated former US Open champion Emma Raducanu.

While Kessler celebrates her achievement, Gauff is left to reflect on recent setbacks. The young star has now lost her last three matches, raising concerns after starting off the season strong. Commenting on her performance, Gauff said, “It’s disappointing to lose like this, but I’ll learn and get stronger from it.” This defeat is particularly noteworthy, as it marks Gauff’s first loss to a player ranked outside the top 50 since her elimination by Sofia Kenin at Wimbledon two years ago.

Statistically, despite showing flashes of brilliance—she served four aces and won 71% of her first serves—Gauff could not capitalize on advantageous situations, converting just 1 of 6 break points against Kessler. In contrast, Kessler successfully converted 3 of her 7 break opportunities, showcasing her ability to seize critical moments during the match.

Kessler’s recent progress has been notable; she has achieved two WTA singles titles in the past six months and now boasts a 6-2 record against higher-ranked players this season. “This is definitely the biggest win of my career so far, and I can’t wait to see what’s next,” she remarked, looking ahead with anticipation.

This thrilling performance not only elevates Kessler’s status on the WTA Tour but also sets the stage for a promising future, as she continues to build on her successes. Concurrently, Gauff’s defeat signals a need for recalibration as she works to regain her form in the competitive landscape of women’s tennis.