Coco Gauff hits 28 double faults in Dubai but saves three match points to reach the quarterfinals after a dramatic win over Elise Mertens.
| Short Summary: Coco Gauff battled major serving struggles at the Dubai 2026 WTA event, hitting 28 double faults across two matches — including four in a row against Elise Mertens. Despite the errors, she staged a remarkable comeback, saving three match points to win 2-6, 7-6 (9), 6-3 and advance to the quarterfinals, where she will face Alexandra Eala. |
Coco Gauff recorded 28 double faults at Dubai 2026, setting a WTA event record, but managed to get through tumultuous matches to advance to the quarterfinals, where she will meet Alexandra Eala next.
Coco Gauff Overcomes Serve Struggles To Seal Gritty Dubai Win
Coco Gauff has altered the undesirable record book in Dubai.
Following a first-round bye, the third seed began with a 6-4, 6-4 victory against Anna Kalinskaya, though it wasn’t without challenges. Gauff committed 12 double faults during that match.
The situation became even more complicated in the second round.
Versus Belgium’s Elise Mertens, the current French Open champion accumulated 16 additional double faults, increasing her tournament total to 28 in merely two matches: a record high for a single tournament in 2026.
She additionally hit 63 unforced mistakes and even recorded four straight double faults during one concerning period.
Still, she managed to win.
Gauff fought back after losing a set and saved three match points to defeat Mertens 2-6, 7-6 (9), 6-3. It was not attractive. It was simply about survival.
“The entire match seemed like it was against me,” Gauff remarked on the court. “It may not have been ideal, but I made an effort to remain focused and battled for each point.” I’m glad I could achieve the outcome today.
“Elise is an excellent player, so I simply needed to remain calm.” I was confident I could win; it was just a question of whether I could discover my game. “I occasionally did a bit, and at times I didn’t, but that’s alright.”
Residing on the Brink
If this resonates with you, it’s because it is. Gauff has established a reputation for navigating turmoil. In Montreal last year, she defeated Danielle Collins even with 74 unforced errors, which included 23 double faults.
Arriving in Dubai, the world No. 4 had already accumulated 55 double faults over 10 matches in 2026. She now has 83 for the season after adding 28 in Dubai.
Next: a quarterfinal match against the Philippines’ Alexandra Eala.
