New Delhi: World No.2 Iga Swiatek averted the late challenge from Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan to progress to the semifinals of the Qatar Open on Thursday at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex. Seeded second in the event, the 23-year-old Poland player won in straight sets 6-2, 7-5 against Rybakina in what was the repeat of the final of last edition.
Swiatek has now registered her 15th straight win in the tournament overall en route to aim for her fourth straight title. She came down from a 4-2 deficit in the second set and later saved two break points at 4-4. She eventually breezed past Elena to wrap the game in an hour and 36 minutes, denying any act of potential fightback from the World No.3 to push the quarterfinal game into a decider.
Brilliant, brilliant, BRILLIANT 🗣️
@iga_swiatek extends her dominant Doha record with a 6-2, 7-5 victory over Rybakina to reach the semifinals!
#QatarTotalEnergiesOpen pic.twitter.com/HZtazCB7AX— wta (@WTA) February 13, 2025
The five-time Grand Slam winner has also leveled her head-to-head record against Rybakina with the recent success as she defeated the 25-year-old Kazakhstan star in the United Cup last month.
Swiatek will face against Jelena Ostanpenko of Latvia in the semifinal. Ostanpenko outplayed former World No.2 Ons Jabeur in the third quarterfinal 6-2, 6-2. The Polish player will be looking for her first win over the World No.37 Ostanpenko, who holds a 4-0 record in this rivalry. The two players last met in the 2023 US Open in the Round of 16 with Swiatek faltering 6-3, 3-6, 1-6 despite holding an early advantage.
Iga Swiatek completes 100th win at WTA 1000 events
The recent win against Elena Rybakina marked the 100th victory for Iga Swiatek in the WTA 1000 level events in 121 matches she has played thus far. This makes the Polish star as the second player to achieve the feat after legendary American player Serena Williams accomplished it in 115 matches.
Iga Swiatek secured her place in the Qatar Open semifinals with a hard-fought victory over Elena Rybakina. This win marked Swiatek’s 100th WTA 1000 victory, a significant milestone. She will now face Jelena Ostapenko in the semifinals, aiming for her fourth consecutive title. Tennis Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
