Iga Swiatek defeated Elena Rybakina 6-2, 7-5 to advance to the Qatar Open semi-finals, where she will face either Ons Jabeur or Jelena Ostapenko. Ekaterina Alexandrova made a comeback to beat Jessica Pegula and reach the semis, now on an eight-match winning streak.
Iga Swiatek, the three-time defending champion, advanced to the semi-finals of the Qatar Open after defeating Elena Rybakina 6-2, 7-5. Their match on Thursday mirrored last year’s final, where Swiatek quickly took control, breaking Rybakina’s serve twice to secure the first set. Despite a resilient response from Rybakina, who broke first in the second set, Swiatek’s intensity helped her level the match and ultimately break for the win.
Swiatek commented on her performance, stating she felt proud and happy, especially given Rybakina’s challenge. “At the beginning of the second set, I felt like she increased her levels. I needed to do that too in order to come back,” she said. With this victory, Swiatek will now face the winner of the match between Ons Jabeur and Jelena Ostapenko.
In the other semi-final, Ekaterina Alexandrova defeated Jessica Pegula, the sixth seed, coming back from losing the first set to win 4-6, 6-1, 6-1. Alexandrova, who previously defeated the world’s top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka, is currently on an eight-match winning streak. She expressed satisfaction with her form, stating, “I’m really happy with the way I’m playing right now. I want to keep it going as long as possible, no matter what.”
Iga Swiatek secured her place in the Qatar Open semi-finals with a solid victory over Elena Rybakina, showcasing her ability to respond to challenges. Meanwhile, Ekaterina Alexandrova’s impressive comeback against Jessica Pegula solidified her strong form as she aims for further success. Both matches highlight the competitive nature of the tournament and set the stage for exciting semi-finals ahead.
Original Source: www.channelnewsasia.com
