The strongest tennis player in Ukraine, Elina Svitolina (9th in the world), who defeated her rival from Spain (by forfeit) and the Olympic champion from Switzerland, made it to the semifinals of the prestigious WTA 1000 tournament in Dubai (UAE) for the first time in seven years with a prize fund of 4 million 88 thousand dollars.
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In the quarterfinal match, the 31-year-old Odessan defeated 23-year-old Croatian Antonija Ružić (67th), who had previously eliminated Slovak Rebecca Šramková (82nd), former US Open champion Emma Radukana (25th), “neutral” Russian Anastasia Zakharova (104th), and also, by forfeit (in the third game with a score of 5:7, 6:4, 1:0), Australian Open 2026 champion Elena Rybakina (3rd) from Kazakhstan, in three sets — 3:6, 6:2, 6:3.
Reaching the semifinals of the competition brought Svitolina $197,000 in prize money and 390 rating points. Elina, who won 14 of 16 matches in 2026, will challenge for a place in the final of the tournament in a duel with the world's No. 4 American Coco Gauff, who defeated Filipina Alexandra Eala (47th) 6-0, 6-2.
We should add that this is Elina Svitolina's 11th time playing in Dubai. The Ukrainian has won the title here twice – in 2017 and 2018, and she has also reached the semifinals twice – in 2016 and 2019.
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Previously, “FACTS” reported that Elina Svitolina had won the tournament in Auckland since the beginning of the year and reached the semifinals of the Australian Open.
Photo by Jimmie48
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