Elena Rybakina Upsets Iga Swiatek in Qatar Open Final

Rybakina Rallies from Behind to Claim Third WTA Title

In a thrilling final at the Qatar TotalEnergies Open in Doha, Elena Rybakina upset world No. 1 Iga Swiatek in three sets to claim her third WTA title.

Swiatek's Impressive Run Ends

Swiatek, who had won the past two Qatar Open titles and had a 14-match winning streak, looked poised to continue her dominance. However, Rybakina's powerful serving and aggressive groundstrokes proved too much for the Polish star.

Rybakina's Comeback Victory

Rybakina lost the first set 7-6 in a tiebreak, but she rallied to win the second 10-8 in a second-set tiebreak. In the third set, Rybakina broke Swiatek's serve twice to seal the victory 6-2.

A Triumphant Moment

"I'm so happy with this victory," said Rybakina after the match. "Iga is an incredible player, but today I played my best and managed to pull off the win. It's a special moment for me."

Swiatek's Disappointment

Swiatek expressed disappointment at the loss but praised Rybakina's performance. "Elena played incredibly well today," she said. "She deserved to win. I'll learn from this experience and come back stronger next time."

Rybakina's Rise to Prominence

Rybakina's victory in Doha is another step in her rise to prominence on the WTA Tour. The 23-year-old Kazakh has been in impressive form in 2024, winning the Abu Dhabi Open earlier this year. She is now expected to climb to a career-high ranking in the WTA rankings.