Past Tough Opponent, Swiatek Faces Another Tough Match

DOHA, WEDNESDAY— Not many tennis players can trouble Iga Swiatek when she is in good form. Among the few players who can, one of them is the Czech player ranked 33rd in the world, Linda Noskova.

Noskova even made a surprise by eliminating Swiatek in the Grand Slam arena, specifically in the third round of the 2024 Australian Open, in only their second meeting. At that time, Swiatek held the status of the world's number one tennis player and was the top seed.

In the next three meetings, Swiatek won but Noskova always troubled the player with five Grand Slam titles, including when they met in the third round of the WTA 1000 Doha. At the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex, Doha, Qatar, on Wednesday (12/2/2025), Swiatek lost the first set before finally winning with a score of 6-7 (1), 6-4, 6-4.

In the match that lasted two hours and 32 minutes, Swiatek even lost in various statistical indicators, one of which was aces. She made four aces, while Noskova had 16 aces. The total points she earned, which was 98, was fewer than the 101 points Noskova earned, but Swiatek won because she was able to score points at crucial moments.

The result caused Swiatek to lose a set for the first time in Doha since 2022, after she won two sets in 25 consecutive matches. Thus, the Polish tennis player still maintains the chance to win the WTA Doha four times in a row. She could match Caroline Wozniacki, who won a tournament four times in a row, namely in New Haven, United States, from 2008-2011.

However, before talking about the championship chances, Swiatek must be able to overcome the game of Elena Rybakina, who won against Rebecca Sramkova 7-6 (1), 6-2. The match, which will take place this Wednesday night, is a repeat of the 2024 final that Swiatek won with a score of 7-6 (8), 6-2.

The win was one of three for Swiatek over Rybakina, but she has lost the other four. With a powerful, flat serve and forehand that are well-suited to fast-paced play, Rybakina has been a tough competitor for Swiatek. Swiatek has lost all three of her meetings with the 2022 Wimbledon champion.

"Rybakina really enjoys performing here. She reached the final last year and I faced a tough match. I have to be ready for intense rallies, low bouncing balls, and very good serves," said Swiatek on the official WTA website.

Swiatek, Rybakina, and Aryna Sabalenka once created a top rivalry, especially in 2022-2023, earning the nickname “Big Three” in women’s singles. They always meet in the final rounds of major tournaments, such as the WTA 1000 level and Grand Slams.

However, due to injury constraints, Rybakina has yet to add a Grand Slam title from Wimbledon 2022. Meanwhile, Swiatek has collected five titles and Sabalenka with three titles.

"Iga is always a tough opponent. I'm just going to focus on myself and try to play aggressively and consistently," Rybakina said.

Rybakina and Swiatek are two of three reigning Grand Slam champions who have lost their other top players in their opening matches. Sabalenka, 2023 US Open champion Cori Gauff and 2024 Australian Open finalist Zheng Qin Wen all exited in the second round.

Another Grand Slam champion in the quarterfinals is Jelena Ostapenko, who could face either Swiatek or Rybakina in the semifinals. The 2017 US Open champion stopped fourth seed Jasmine Paolini 6-2, 6-2.

Meanwhile, Jabeur defeated Sofia Kenin (2020 Australian Open champion) 6-3, 6-4 to not lose a set in three rounds. The Tunisian tennis player reached the WTA Qatar quarter-finals for the third time after 2020 and 2022.

This year, Jabeur is trying to get back to the form she had in 2022 with a different approach in 2023. She doesn't want to be too hard on herself so that she doesn't become a burden on the field.

So far, that mindset has allowed her to play more comfortably and it will be tested by Ostapenko who has another target. The two-handed forehand and backhand player is looking to end Jabeur's three-match winning streak over her.

He also brought back memories of his first major final appearance in Doha 2016. “This is where everything started for me, I really enjoy every time I play here,” said the Latvian.

In the top half of the draw, the quarter-finals pit sixth seed Jessica Pegula against Ekaterina Alexandrova and Marta Kostyuk against Amanda Anisimova. (AFP)