Gao Xinyu Clinches Dubai W100 Doubles Title, Zvonareva Finishes Runner-Up Twice in One Day

On December 7, local time, the 2025 ITF W100 Dubai tournament concluded. In the women's doubles final, Chinese players Gao Xinyu and Sa Wangkai battled for 1 hour and 40 minutes to overturn the match, defeating Zvonareva and Zolotareva 4-6, 7-5, 10-7. Gao Xinyu claimed the highest-level doubles title of her career.

Photo of Gao Xinyu

Photo Credit: Li Jianyi

This was Gao Xinyu's fourth doubles event of the season; in the previous three tournaments, she and her partners were eliminated in the first round. Carrying 3 ranking points, Gao Xinyu and Sa Wangkai advanced through the first three rounds in straight sets. Their opponents in the final were the Russian pair led by Zvonareva, a three-time Grand Slam doubles champion. In the first set, Zvonareva’s team took the lead 6-4 with a break of serve. In the second set, although Gao and Sa squandered a 4-2 lead, they saved match points on their opponents’ serve and leveled the match at 7-5. In the super tiebreak, Gao and her partner played boldly to win 10-7 and secure the championship.

After earning 100 ranking points and $5,573 in prize money, Gao Xinyu’s doubles world ranking surged by 1,117 spots to No. 624. So far, she has reached 12 doubles finals across various levels in her career, winning 7 titles and finishing runner-up 5 times. Additionally, Gao also reached the semifinals in the singles event at this tournament, achieving great success.

Gao Xinyu and Sa Wangkai’s Path to the Title

First Round: 6-2, 6-3 vs. Oz/Primorac [W]

Quarterfinals: 6-0, 6-4 vs. Klaus/Rus

Semifinals: 6-4, 7-5 vs. Gajdki/Stoisavljevic

Final: 4-6, 7-5, 10-7 vs. Zvonareva/Zolotareva [A]

The singles event at this tournament was thrilling, with 41-year-old tennis veteran Zvonareva competing in both singles and doubles via a wildcard. In singles, she won her first two rounds in straight sets against Witt and Sa Wangkai; in the quarterfinals and semifinals, she battled through three-set matches against Lansere and Stoisavljevic, spending a total of 5 hours and 55 minutes on court.

After advancing to the final, Zvonareva said: “I know these young players are hungry for victory and will fight hard to win, but I’m not someone who gives up easily. I’ve made significant progress this week, especially after my shoulder surgery, to reach this stage. I’m aware the road ahead won’t be easy.”

Photo of Zvonareva

Photo Credit: Visual China

In the final, Zvonareva faced Croatian rising star Masinko, who is 21 years older than her opponent born in 2005. Throughout the match, Masinko maintained control while Zvonareva struggled with the toll of continuous play. Eventually, Masinko won 6-3, 6-3 to claim the title. With 100 ranking points and $14,880 prize money from this event, Masinko will break into the Top 100 for the first time next week, rising to No. 82. Meanwhile, Zvonareva, returning after an 18-month hiatus, gained 65 ranking points and jumped to No. 654 in the world rankings.

Masinko’s Road to the Championship

First Round: 6-4, 6-1 vs. Herencakova

Second Round: 6-1, 3-6, 6-1 vs. Dart

Quarterfinals: 7-6(5), 1-0 Ret. vs. Rus [7]

Semifinals: 4-6, 6-3, 6-0 vs. Gao Xinyu

Final: 6-3, 6-3 vs. Zvonareva [W]