Swiatek and Rybakina Advance to Qatar Open Quarter-Finals
Iga Swiatek and Elena Rybakina both secured their places in the quarter-finals of the Qatar Open. Swiatek, the world number two, triumphed over Daria Kasatkina with a comeback victory.
Swiatek’s Victory Over Kasatkina
After losing the first set 5-7, Swiatek rebounded strongly. She won the next two sets decisively, finishing with a score of 6-1, 6-1. This match set her up for a quarter-final against Greece’s Maria Sakkari.
Swiatek previously dominated Kasatkina, winning their last six encounters without conceding a set. However, in this matchup, she initially struggled, dropping a 5-3 lead in the first set. “It wasn’t an easy match,” Swiatek commented. “She played aggressively on the slower surface.”
Rybakina’s Hard-Fought Win
Elena Rybakina also faced a tough challenge. She overcame China’s Zheng Qinwen with a final score of 4-6, 6-2, 7-5. This victory extends her winning streak to nine matches.
Zheng, the 2024 Australian Open runner-up, showcased resilience, especially after returning from elbow surgery. She took the first set by breaking serve in the fifth game.
Despite the rocky start, Rybakina improved in the second set, breaking Zheng’s serve twice. The decisive third set saw her race to a 5-2 lead, but Rybakina faced tension as she missed a match point. Nonetheless, she secured the win and a place in the quarter-finals against Victoria Mboko.
Upcoming Quarter-Final Matches
The quarter-finals are set to be exciting. Here are some matchups to look out for:
- Iga Swiatek vs. Maria Sakkari
- Elena Rybakina vs. Victoria Mboko
- Jelena Ostapenko vs. Elisabetta Cocciaretto
- Karolina Muchova vs. Anna Kalinskaya
With the tournament heating up, the performances of these players will be critical as they aim for the prestigious title. The Qatar Open continues to showcase thrilling tennis action, with fans eagerly anticipating the next round of matches.
