Elsewhere in Dubai, Gauff suffered a 3rd successive defeat as she fell to world quantity 53 Kessler.
Third seed Gauff, 20, began the 12 months on red-hot kind, profitable 9 matches in a row.
Nonetheless, since dropping to Paula Badosa within the quarter-finals of the Australian Open, Gauff has misplaced within the second spherical on the Qatar Open and Dubai Tennis Championships after receiving a bye within the first spherical at each tournaments.
Kessler saved 5 of the six break factors she confronted towards her fellow American earlier than wrapping up a 6-4 7-5 victory in a single hour and 29 minutes.
It’s the first prime 10 victory of her profession, whereas the 25-year-old can be into the third spherical of a WTA 1,000 occasion for the primary time.
World primary Aryna Sabalenka claimed a 6-3 6-4 victory over qualifier Veronika Kudermetova, whereas second seed Iga Swiatek stormed previous two-time main winner Victoria Azarenka in a 6-0 6-2 win.
Jasmine Paolini continued her title defence with a 6-2 7-5 victory over Germany’s Eva Lys, whereas Ons Jabeur fell to a 7-6 (8-6) 6-4 defeat by American Peyton Stearns.
Sixth seed Elena Rybakina beat Moyuka Uchijima 6-3 6-2 to arrange a last-16 assembly with world quantity 10 Badosa, who gained 6-2 6-1 towards Elise Mertens.
