NEW DELHI: Three-time defending champion Iga Swiatek suffered a crushing 6-3, 6-1 defeat against Jelena Ostapenko in the Qatar Open semi-finals on Friday. The loss marked Swiatek’s fifth straight defeat to the Latvian star, extending a surprising head-to-head dominance for Ostapenko.
Swiatek, who had been riding a 15-match winning streak in Doha, was aiming to become the first player since 2011 to win the same WTA tournament four times in a row. However, Ostapenko had other plans, storming through the match in just 70 minutes.
The world No. 37 unleashed 24 winners against 15 unforced errors, dismantling Swiatek’s game and leaving the second-ranked Pole visibly frustrated.
Swiatek, known for her composure on the court, let her emotions spill over after dropping the third game in the second set. In a rare outburst, she smashed her racquet against the ground in frustration, stunning both her opponent and the crowd.
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Ostapenko, the 2017 French Open champion, was in complete control from start to finish.
She broke Swiatek in the opening game, quickly racing to a 2-0 lead. Swiatek struggled to keep pace and, despite a brief fightback in the second set, was unable to shift the momentum in her favour.
“I felt confident going into the match because I’ve played her several times and knew what to expect,” said Ostapenko. “I just focused on my game and executed my plan well.”
With the victory, Ostapenko advanced to her third WTA 1000 final, where she will face Amanda Anisimova. The American booked her place in the final with a convincing 6-3, 6-3 win over Ekaterina Alexandrova.
Anisimova, making a strong comeback on the tour, ended Alexandrova’s eight-match unbeaten streak to set up an all-unseeded final in Doha. The championship match promises to be an intense battle, with both players eyeing a prestigious WTA 1000 title.