Tennis
2026-02-20 - Jessica Pegula vs Amanda Anisimova
A Sports Betting Pick by FirstDown
Tennis : WTA 1000 Dubai Semi Final
Friday 20th February 2026 - Scheduled 1pm
5pm (British Time)
Preview
The WTA 1000 tournament in Dubai is down to the final four and there will be at least one American in the Final on Saturday.
Both of these players came through testing Quarter Final matches, but you do have to believe that Amanda Anisimove invested a lot more emotional energy in her battling win over Mirra Andreeva.
Not only did she come from a set behind, but it looked like Anisimova's run in the Middle East was drawing to a close when she fell 6-5 behind in the final set, but a break of serve and then coming through the Tie-Breaker has kept the dream alive of winning another title in this part of the world. Last year Amanda Anisimova won the title in Doha, and beating the defending Champion in Dubai has to have filled her with confidence.
Spending over two and a half hours on the court and putting herself through the mental and physical wringer could be a factor in this Semi Final, while Amanda Anisimova is also going to be trying to get the better of compatriot Jessica Pagula for the first time.
These players met at the Australian Open and Jessica Pegula was the better player on the day and she did get to play earlier in the day on Thursday when coming through in three sets against Clara Tauson.
It was a very tough match in the Quarter Final and Jessica Pegula has to be given credit for holding herself together at key times during that match. Getting through has maintained a strong start to the season and Jessica Pegula should be well rested having decided to skip Doha last week.
The serve is going to be a big weapon for both players, but it is Jessica Pegula who has just been producing at a slightly higher level compared with Amanda Anisimova. There isn't much between them, but Pegula is the player that is likely going to have the majority of the Break Points and having a bit more energy without a day break between matches should be in her favour.
At some point you would imagine Amanda Anisimova will begin to turn the tables on her older compatriot, but that may not be ready to begin on Friday in this big Semi Final.
Prediction
Lay the games with the lower Ranked American player who has had the better of her compatriot in matches on the Tour and who has not had the same kind of incredibly mentally and physically exhausting Quarter Final as Amanda Anisimova just played.
The Pick :
Jessica Pegula 2-0 Amanda Anisimova
