Three-time defending Qatar Open champion Iga Swiatek suffered a crushing 6-3, 6-1 defeat by Jelena Ostapenko within the semifinals on Friday, her fifth loss in as many conferences with the mercurial Latvian.
Swiatek entered the semifinals carrying a 15-match successful streak in Doha, having clinched the title in every of the final three editions.
The five-time Grand Slam champion was seeking to turn into the primary participant since 2011 – and simply second this century – to win the identical WTA event 4 years in a row however Ostapenko had different concepts.
Ostapenko, the 2017 Roland Garros champion, turned the primary participant to defeat Swiatek on 5 events.
The world quantity 37 fired 24 winners in opposition to simply 15 unforced errors, brushing apart the second-ranked Pole after simply 70 minutes of play.
Ostapenko is thru to the third WTA 1000 remaining of her profession and is looking for her first title at that stage, having misplaced on her two earlier makes an attempt in Doha 2016 and Miami 2018.
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“I really feel like this courtroom has a particular power and it was all the time serving to me. Every part began for me on this courtroom (after I reached the ultimate in 2016),” mentioned Ostapenko, who will face Amanda Anisimova or Ekaterina Alexandrova in Saturday’s championship match.
“As we speak after I went on the courtroom I used to be fairly assured that I may beat her as a result of we performed lots of matches and I sort of know how you can play in opposition to her. I used to be simply specializing in myself and knew what I needed to do. I’m actually pleased with the way in which I’m dealing with my feelings this week and I’m so pleased to be within the remaining.”
A blistering begin from Ostapenko noticed the Latvian unleash a forehand winner to interrupt Swiatek within the opening recreation of the competition and he or she surrendered only one level on her technique to a 2-0 lead.
Ostapenko received her palms on three set factors on the Swiatek serve at 5-3 and transformed her third alternative to scoop the primary set in 35 minutes.
The beginning of the second set adopted the same sample to the primary, with Ostapenko punishing Swiatek’s serve, and attacking any brief ball that got here her manner.
Because the match clock hit one hour, Ostapenko was already up a set and 4-0 and cruising. Swiatek halted the momentum by getting one of many breaks again however her comeback try was short-lived as she dropped serve once more the next recreation en path to a hefty defeat.