Krejcikova spoils Pegula's birthday to book Dubai final showdown

There was no birthday luck on court for World No.3 Jessica Pegula, who became the latest big-name victim to fall at the hands of an in-control Barbora Krejcikova at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships this week. On Friday (February 24), the Czech star came in confident mood, having already beaten two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova in the last 16 and current Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka in the quarter-finals.
 
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Looking comfortable on the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium Centre Court, Krejcikova raced to a 6-1 first-set win. Pegula dug deep in set two, breaking serve in game 12 to take the match to a decider. However, her opponent, a multiple Grand Slam doubles winner, wasn’t about to hand out any gifts on Pegula’s 29th birthday, storming the deciding set 6-0. Having beaten the World No. 2 and No. 3 this week, Krejcikova is in confident mood for Saturday’s final. “It definitely gives me a lot of confidence. I think my game is improving with every match and I'm really happy with that,” said Krejcikova, “Tomorrow is going to be a new match, new day, different player, different day definitely. I just have to sleep well and try to prepare the best way because I'm going to be playing the best player in the world.” “I have to say, it’s always a huge challenge. I love challenges. I expect it’s going to be really difficult because she’s in a great form and she's playing well. I believe that I’m playing well, as well. I think that I can find a plan that can push her on the back leg. I believe that I have a chance,” added the World No. 30, who beat Swiatek in the Ostrava WTA final last year. Krejcikova has enjoyed strong crowd support all week, with throngs of Czechs showing up in the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium to cheer her on in her matches. ICA/Expat Media

In pictures

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