Coco Gauff has set up a semi-final meeting with the world's No.1 player Iga Swiatek after beating her US compatriot Madison Keys 6-2 7-5 in the Dubai Tennis Championships.

The American teenager's victory on Thursday has set up her third semi-final at WTA 1000 level or above.

A shaky start from Keys enabled Gauff to dominate the first set but the world No.23 challenged strongly in the second and was leading at 5-4.

But one poor game meant the 18-year-old was able to pull away as Keys finished with 51 unforced errors.

Gauff will now face Swiatek in the final four, after the Pole was handed a walkover when her projected opponent Karolina Pliskova had to pull out due to illness.

This will be the sixth time the pair have met, including in last year's Roland Garros final, and Gauff is yet to win a set in their last five encounters.

In other action, Barbora Krejcikova upset second-ranked Aryna Sabalenka 0-6 7-6 (7-2) 6-1.

Sabalenka, the Australian Open champion, was on a 13-match winning streak and led 3-1 in the second set before Krejcikova's comeback. It was Sabalenka's first loss this season.

Krejcikova, the 2021 French Open champion, will face Jessica Pegula of the United States in the semi-finals.

Pegula, who is ranked No.3, advanced after a walkover from Karolina Muchova who withdrew because of an abdominal injury.