DOHA, Qatar — In a thrilling matchup on Thursday, the three-time reigning champion Iga Swiatek secured her place in the semifinals of the Qatar Open by defeating Elena Rybakina with scores of 6-2, 7-5.
Ranked No. 2 in the world, Swiatek is set to clash with either Jelena Ostapenko or Ons Jabeur, vying for a coveted spot in the championship final.
Ekaterina Alexandrova continued her impressive performance by ousting sixth-seeded Jessica Pegula with a score of 4-6, 6-1, 6-1. The 26th-ranked Russian had earlier taken down top-seeded Aryna Sabalenka earlier in the week.
Next up for Alexandrova will be a showdown against either Amanda Anisimova or Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk.