Qatar Open: Iga Swiatek beats Elena Rybakina in straight sets to reach quarter-finals in Doha

Iga Swiatek will face in-form Ekaterina Alexandrova in the last four; Swiatek becomes the first woman with the longest winning streak at the Qatar Open since the tournament began in 2001 with 15 consecutive wins

Highlights of the Qatar Open quarter-final match between Elena Rybakina and Iga Swiatek
Iga Swiatek stayed on course for a fourth successive title at the Qatar Open with victory over Elena Rybakina in the quarter-finals.

In a repeat of last year’s final in Doha, Swiatek recovered from a break down in the second set to claim a 6-2 7-5 win.

Swiatek becomes the first woman with the longest winning streak at the Qatar Open since the tournament began in 2001 with 15 consecutive wins. Elena Rybakina’s coach Stefano Vukov remains banned by WTA after investigation

“I’m super happy, super proud of myself,” said the Pole. “The second set I felt like she raised her level so I needed to do that too.”

Rybakina began the year with a 4-2 advantage in her head-to-head against Swiatek, but it is now level after the world number two followed up her victory at the United Cup last month with another success.

Swiatek started the contest much the better, but Rybakina began to gain traction with her strong serve and ground strokes at the start of the second set, opening up a 4-2 lead.