Swiatek stays on course in Doha bid, sets blockbuster Rybakina clash in quarters

Second seed and crowd favourite Iga Swiatek of Poland remained on course for a fourth Doha final on Wednesday when the defending champion beat Linda Noskova in straight sets on day four of the $3.6mn Qatar TotalEnergies Open.
Seeking her fourth successive final in the Qatari capital, Swiatek survived a sluggish start to win 6-7 (1/7), 6-4, 6-4 to set up a quarter-final clash against fifth seed Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina who beat Slovakia’s Rebecca Sramkova 7-6 (7/1), 6-2 on Wednesday .
Wednesday’s hard-fought win was Swiatek’s 15th out of 16 matches in Doha. Swiatek is the second player after Poland’s Agnieszka Radwanska to reach the quarter-finals of the Qatar Open in four consecutive years since the start of the tournament in 2001.
At last year’s Australian Open, it was Noskova who beat Swiatek with a three-set third-round win. Swiatek, though, has now won four of their five matches.
“It was super tough (as) Linda played amazing. I just waited for my opportunities, and I wouldn’t say there was one key because the match was tough, and we both played well,” Swiatek said on Wednesday. “We didn’t have one thing that kind of was obvious that it didn’t work. I guess just keeping the intensity and waiting for the chances, and just being there in the right moment to push for more,” the Pole said.
“It (the win) gives (me) a lot of confidence because getting through the tough moments during the match, trying to find solutions and finding it, gives you a lot (of confidence),” she said.
When asked about her next opponent Rybakina, Swiatek said on Wednesday: “I guess it’s always tough, so I’m not expecting an easy match. She likes playing here, she’s been in a final here last year, and last year also was tough. So I’ll be ready for some intense rallies, and some low balls, and good serving, for sure.”
When reporters asked Rybakina about her match against Swiatek, she said on Wednesday: “Tough opponent as always. Going to focus on myself, and try to stay aggressive on the court, and, yeah, it’s definitely the toughest opponent so far on this tournament, so hopefully I can do well.”
On Wednesday, No. 4 Jasmine Paolini was upset by Jelena Ostapenko to join a long list of seeded players who have been knocked out of the Doha event in the first four days. Tuesday saw No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, No. 3 Coco Gauff, No. 7 Zheng Qinwen and No. 9 Paula Badosa fall out of the draw. On Wednesday Ostapenko won 6-2, 6-2.
Swiatek battled back from a disastrous first-set tiebreak to defeat Noskova. Noskova dominated the tiebreak, capitalising on uncharacteristic errors from Swiatek, who visibly struggled with her forehand. Noskova won seven of eight points in the tiebreak, showcasing powerful serves and consistent play.
Swiatek regrouped in the second set, weathering an exchange of breaks before securing a 5-3 lead and serving it out to even the match. The deciding set saw Swiatek break early, but Noskova quickly responded. However, Swiatek’s resilience shone through as she won six consecutive points from love-30 down to break Noskova and clinch a crucial 5-4 lead, ultimately serving for the match.
Despite Noskova’s impressive 16 aces, nine of which came in the first set, Swiatek’s clutch performance proved decisive. She saved six of eight breakpoints and converted four of her own, overcoming Noskova’s strong serve to secure the victory.
Ostapenko has a history of strong performances in Doha. In 2016, as an 18-year-old ranked No. 88, she reached her first WTA Tour final in Doha. She returned to the semi-finals in 2022. Notably, four of her 22 career wins against Top 10 players have been posted in Doha, including a dominant 6-2, 6-2 victory over Garbine Muguruza in 2022, during which Ostapenko hit 39 winners in just 16 games.
“I feel very special playing in Doha, because I feel this is the place where everything started for me,” Ostapenko said in her on-court interview.
Meanwhile Ons Jabeur of Tunisia beat Sofia Kenin of the US 6-3, 6-4 to reach the quarter-finals.