Swiatek Survives Noskova Challenge at Qatar TotalEnergies Open

DOHA, Qatar — Iga Swiatek, the world No. 2, narrowly secured her place in the Qatar TotalEnergies Open quarterfinals with a comeback victory against 20-year-old Czech player Linda Noskova on Wednesday. After dropping the first set, Swiatek fought back to win 6-7 (1), 6-4, 6-4, avoiding an upset that had already claimed top seed Aryna Sabalenka earlier in the tournament.

“I know how tennis works,” Swiatek said shortly before the match. “It doesn’t always depend on you if you win titles or not. You just have to put hundred percent effort and commitment and you’ll get your chances.” The match against Noskova epitomized this sentiment, as Swiatek demonstrated resilience and adaptability.

Noskova, currently ranked No. 33, had previously bested Swiatek during the Australian Open in January. Throughout their latest encounter, she showcased her powerful serve and striking groundstrokes, delivering a total of 16 aces. Noskova maintained an edge during rallies, testing Swiatek’s ability to respond under pressure.

The first set culminated in a tiebreak that saw Noskova dominate 7-1, and she started the second set by holding her serve and pressuring Swiatek at 0-30. However, Swiatek steadied her game, and the second set quickly turned into a back-and-forth battle, filled with break opportunities and shifts in momentum.

As the match advanced into the third set, the intensity remained palpable. Echoing the previous day’s match where Ekaterina Alexandrova defeated Aryna Sabalenka, the competition exemplified the thin line between victory and defeat in women’s tennis. As Swiatek served at 3-4 in the final set, Noskova’s chances appeared promising, yet inconsistency crept into her game—she missed crucial returns and could not capitalize when it mattered most.

After an uncharacteristic lapse from her opponent, Swiatek seized the moment, winning her service games to take the match. Reflecting on the match, Swiatek acknowledged the difficulty Noskova presented. “Every match with Linda is always super-tough,” she said. “Wasn’t easy with her serve, which was kind of perfect.” Swiatek’s victory marks her 14th consecutive win at the Qatar event, a streak that began in 2021.

Despite narrowly escaping elimination this week, Swiatek’s ability to adapt and maintain composure under pressure bolsters her confidence heading into the latter stages of the tournament. As the only Top 4 seed remaining, her performance in Doha may set the tone for her upcoming clay season.