Jessica Pegula matches Serena Williams and Martina Navratilova with Dubai Final Run

Jessica Pegula has reached the final of the Dubai Tennis Championships, seeing off Amanda Anisimova in a hard-fought three-set contest.

Pegula rallied from a slow start to win 1-6, 6-4, 6-3 against her fellow American at the WTA 1000 event. It was a strong response after being outplayed in the opening set.

The victory takes Pegula into her eighth WTA 1000 final and her first ever in Dubai, where her previous best was a semifinal run. She will face Jasmine Paolini next after the Italian came through an epic three-set battle against Sorana Cirstea earlier in the day.

Jessica Pegula ties record held by Serena Williams and Martina Navratilova

According to Opta Ace, Pegula has now become the third player to reach five or more finals at Tier 1 or WTA 1000 events after turning 30, joining an exclusive club alongside Serena Williams and Martina Navratilova.

Since turning 30, the American has made five appearances in WTA 1000 finals, with runs in Wuhan, Miami, Cincinnati, Canada and now Dubai.

Pegula joins a shortlist of players who have reached as many finals at this stage of their careers. Only Serena Williams and Martina Navratilova have appeared in more after hitting that milestone age.

Navratilova reached seven WTA 1000 finals past the age of 30. Meanwhile, Williams holds the Open Era record with an incredible tally of 16 appearances after that age.

Pegula has another opportunity ahead to add to her growing list of achievements as she looks for her first title since Seoul in October last year.

Jessica Pegula remains unbeaten against Amanda Anisimova

Pegula not only reached the final in Dubai but also maintained her perfect record against Anisimova.

The 31-year-old is now 5-0 over her fellow American, having won all five of their matches on the WTA Tour.

Anisimova came closest to a win during their second meeting, held in Charleston in 2024, where she pushed Pegula to a third-set tiebreak before falling short.

The pair had already faced each other earlier this season at the Australian Open, with Pegula winning in straight sets to book a place in the semifinals.

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