World No. 1 Iga Swiatek received the Qatar Open for the third 12 months in a row on Saturday after beating Elena Rybakina 7-6 (10/8), 6-2 within the ultimate.
Swiatek is the primary participant to win three straight titles on the identical WTA occasion since Serena Williams accomplished a Miami Open hat trick from 2013-15.
“You don’t even know hard it was not to think about it,” mentioned Swiatek, whose document now stands at now 13-1 in Doha since her 2020 debut.
“I came here and was pretty stressed because I felt the expectations. I wanted to do everything step by step like I always do. I’m really happy. I’m really proud of myself.”
Swiatek claimed her 18th profession singles title and her first of the 2024 season. Her solely defeat within the final 23 matches was to Czech teen Linda Noskova within the Australian Open third spherical.
Rybakina fell brief in her bid for a 3rd title of the 12 months. The Kazakh had lifted the trophy final week in Abu Dhabi after successful in Brisbane in the beginning of January.
“I fought till the end,” mentioned Rybakina, who defeated Swiatek in all three conferences final 12 months. “Congratulations to Iga for a great week.”
Swiatek, who obtained a walkover Friday when Karolina Pliskova withdrew with a decrease again harm, entered the ultimate having received her final 21 units on the match.
However, she made a dreadful begin and fell a double break behind at 1-4 in opposition to an in-form Rybakina, on an eight-match successful streak since an early exit on the Australian Open.
The third-seeded Rybakina required a medical timeout after by chance slicing her leg along with her racquet whereas serving, the temporary stoppage stalling her momentum.
The Pole broke twice in succession to carry the set again on serve, nevertheless it regarded as if Rybakina would snatch it when she received a prolonged eleventh recreation to go 6-5 up along with her service recreation to come back.
Swiatek rallied as soon as extra to power a tie-break however didn’t take two set factors earlier than having to avoid wasting one herself. After one other missed alternative, the highest seed closed out a 90-minute opening set on the fourth time of asking.
She saved two set factors early within the second set earlier than placing her foot down to comb right into a 3-1 lead. A second break of Rybakina within the seventh recreation left Swiatek on the cusp of victory, which she wrapped up in 2 hours and 19 minutes.
Source: www.dailysabah.com
