Jessica Pegula came back from a set and a break down to defeat Amanda Anisimova and reach the Dubai Tennis Championships final.

The fourth seed, who also knocked Anisimova out in the Australian Open last month, won 1-6 6-4 6-3 to set up a final against either Coco Gauff or Elina Svitolina.

It was a ruthless start from Anisimova, who converted her first break point in the second game before breaking to love in the sixth game as she cruised through the first.

And Pegula looked to be on her way out of the tournament as Anisimova broke again to go 3-1 up in the second.

However, Pegula broke Anisimova's serve in three consecutive games, while also losing a service game of her own, to fight her way back into the match and force a decider.

There was little to split the two Americans in the third set, but Pegula converted the only break point before serving to love to book her place in the final.

5 - Jessica Pegula is the third player to reach 5+ Tier I / WTA-1000 finals after turning 30 since the format’s introduction in 1990, after Martina Navratilova and Serena Williams. Experience.#DDFTennis | @DDFTennis @WTA pic.twitter.com/e6P4iwZZUx

— OptaAce (@OptaAce) February 20, 2026

Data Debrief: Pegula unfazed at 31

Pegula, who now holds a 5-0 record against Anisimova on the tour, is the third player to reach 5+ Tier I / WTA-1000 finals after turning 30 since the format's introduction in 1990, after Martina Navratilova and Serena Williams.

She is the third-oldest finalist in Dubai since the tournament's inception in 2001, younger only than Venus Williams in 2014 and Nathalie Tauziat in 2001.

Pegula is also the fourth player representing the United States to reach the Dubai Tennis Championships final, after Monica Seles (2003), Lindsay Davenport (2005) and Venus Williams (2009, 2010 and 2014).