Swiatek Faces Rybakina in High-Stakes WTA Quarterfinal

DOHA, Qatar — Iga Świątek is set to face Jelena Rybakina in a highly anticipated quarterfinal match at the WTA tournament in Doha on February 13, 2025. This showdown comes a year after both players met in the tournament’s final, where Świątek emerged victorious.

The match is scheduled to begin at 3:30 PM local time, following a surprising earlier match where Jekaterina Aleksandrova defeated Jessica Pegula, paving the way for Świątek and Rybakina to take the court. The stakes are high, as the winner will advance to the semifinals against the victor of the Jelena Ostapenko versus Ons Jabeur match.

Świątek, ranked second in the world, recently triumphed over Linda Nosková in a thrilling three-set battle, winning 6-7(1), 6-4, 6-4 to secure her place in the quarterfinals. She expressed confidence heading into the match against Rybakina, the seventh-ranked player known for her powerful game.

“Every match is tough at this level, but I feel good going into this one,” said Świątek, who is defending her title in Doha, where she has seen significant success in previous years.

The two players last met in January during the United Cup, where Świątek claimed victory in straight sets, 7-6(5), 6-4, highlighting the competitiveness of their encounters.

“I expect it will be an intense match,” Rybakina said in a pre-match interview. “I know I have to bring my best game to beat Iga.” The history between the two highlights a recurring theme of closely contested matches, making this quarterfinal one of the day’s most anticipated.

The atmosphere is expected to be electric on the center court in Doha, with fans eager to witness this clash of titans in women’s tennis. Both players are entering the match following impressive performances in the tournament, making for a potentially unforgettable showdown.

As for additional context, both Świątek and Rybakina have been dominant in their competitions, with Świątek seeking to regain her top ranking while Rybakina aims to continue her ascent in the world rankings.

With the match about to begin, anticipation builds among fans and analysts alike, all eager to see who will secure a spot in the semifinals.