Ostapenko Dominates Swiatek, Advances to Qatar Open Final

DOHA, Qatar — Jelena Ostapenko continued her impressive run against Iga Swiatek, defeating the world No. 2 in the semifinals of the Qatar TotalEnergies Open on Friday. The Latvian player secured a decisive 6-3, 6-1 victory, marking her fifth consecutive win over Swiatek, who had entered the match as the tournament’s three-time defending champion.

This victory not only ended Swiatek’s remarkable 15-match winning streak at the event but also propelled Ostapenko into her first WTA 1000 final since Miami in 2018. The 27-year-old has not dropped a set in Doha this week and will face Amanda Anisimova, another unseeded player, in Saturday’s final.

Ostapenko set the tone early, winning eight of the first nine points to break Swiatek’s serve right off the bat. Her aggressive play was highlighted by a total of 31 winners in the match, a stark contrast to Swiatek’s eight. Despite facing a break point in the first set, Ostapenko managed to fend it off, ultimately taking control with two breaks to capture the set.

“I was pretty confident that I obviously would beat her, because we’ve played a lot of matches and I know how to play against her,” Ostapenko said in her on-court interview. “I was more focused on myself and what I had to do. I’m happy with the way I’m handling my emotions this week.”

In the second set, Ostapenko continued her onslaught, breaking Swiatek’s serve multiple times. Swiatek briefly gave her supporters hope by breaking back, but it was short-lived as Ostapenko regained momentum quickly, sealing her victory after just 70 minutes on court.

This impactful win is significant not just for the victory itself but for the mental edge it gives Ostapenko over Swiatek, being the only active player with a winning record against her, having won all five matches they have played. Swiatek’s last match with such few games won dates back to 2019 against the same opponent.

Ostapenko’s upcoming clash against Amanda Anisimova adds another layer of intrigue, as both players are searching for their first WTA 1000 title. Anisimova advanced to the final after defeating Ekaterina Alexandrova 6-3, 6-3 in her semifinal.

“I think I’m just growing up and maturing and learning with everything,” Anisimova shared about her journey back to the top. “Life on tour is difficult, but I’ve been enjoying it, and I’m happy with the person I’m becoming.”

With a spot in the final assured, both players have a chance to make a statement by claiming their first prestigious WTA 1000 title, making for an exciting showdown at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex.