Kessler claims huge win as Gauff is sent packing
Coco Gauff was shocked by fellow American McCartney Kessler as the world number three dropped out of the Dubai Tennis Championships.
Gauff, who was knocked out of the Qatar Open in her first match in Doha last week, suffered a similar fate in the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday.
Kessler was at her best to claim a 6-4 7-5 win, backing up her first-round defeat of Doha champion Amanda Anisimova.
The world number 53 clawed back five break points out of six, and settled the contest with a crisp backhand winner.
While Gauff will look to put a poor week or so behind her, Jessica Pegula did make it through to the last 16 with a straight-sets defeat of Liudmila Samsonova.
Simply Unstoppable
— wta (@WTA) February 18, 2025
McCartney Kessler upsets the World No. 3 in straight sets after a commanding performance 6-4, 7-5!#DDFTennis pic.twitter.com/5Uglitdsuf
Data Debrief: Kessler's dream run
Kessler has now reached the third round of a WTA 1000 tournament for the first time in her career.
This victory also marked her first win over an opponent ranked inside the top 10.