Upsets Rock 2025 Qatar Open as Alexandrova Eyes First WTA Final

DOHA, Qatar — The 2025 Qatar Open has produced a string of shocking results as top-seeded players face unexpected exits in the early rounds of the first WTA 1000 tournament of the year. Ekaterina Alexandrova, ranked 26th, is among the standout players, building on a recent winning streak that has captured the attention of tennis fans.

In a surprising turn, five top-ten players were eliminated in the second round, with notable casualties including Aryna Sabalenka, Qinwen Zheng, and Paula Badosa. The impressive run of upsets continued as world number ten Daria Kasatkina also fell short of reaching the quarter-finals, leaving only three top-ten players vying for victory in the tournament.

Alexandrova overcame Jessica Pegula, the fifth seed, with a decisive victory during their quarter-final match, ending Pegula’s quest for a semi-final berth. After initially losing the first set 4-6, Alexandrova rebounded, closing out the match with scores of 6-1, 6-1. In a post-match interview, she expressed her joy at being in the semi-finals and reflected on her recent success. “Honestly, I don’t know,” Alexandrova stated when asked about her strong performance. “I’m just trying to play every match, every single point and try not to think about the future.”

Alexandrova highlighted her determination to focus on one match at a time, noting, “I’m glad it’s working out because right now I feel amazing, and to be here in the semi-finals is just great.” This win marks her eighth consecutive victory, placing her in a favorable position heading into the next round. She is on track to potentially extend her winning streak to ten matches if she captures the title in Doha.

The semi-final pairing for Alexandrova is yet to be determined as she awaits the outcome of the match between Marta Kostyuk and Amanda Anisimova. The 30-year-old Russian has had a notable performance in Doha, starting with a first-round win over Emma Raducanu and followed by a hard-fought second-round match against Sabalenka.

Meanwhile, world number two Iga Swiatek is set to face Jelena Ostapenko, ranked 37th, in the semi-finals. This matchup raises eyebrows, as Ostapenko holds a unique career record against Swiatek, having won all four previous encounters. Swiatek is coming off a challenging quarter-final victory against Elena Rybakina, where she rallied from a set down to advance. “Because of the head-to-head, I can kind of play without expectations,” Swiatek commented on her upcoming match. “But she’s a tough opponent and has always played amazing against me.”

The Qatar Open has attracted global attention, not only due to the elite talent on display but also because of the growing narrative around the triumphs and setbacks of the athletes. Both Alexandrova and Swiatek have shown resilience and skill, but they will face tough play as they strive for the tournament crown.