Ostapenko makes it a perfect 5-0 against Swatek to reach the Doha Final

Jelena Ostapenko remains undefeated against Iga Swatek. The Latvian improved to 5-0 against the No. 2 seed with an Imperial 6-3, 6-1 win in Qatar TotalEnEnergies Open semi-finals, ending three-time defense champion Swierek’s 15-match winning row on the tournament.

Doha: sign | Score | Play of Play

Ostapenko goes on to his 17th career Hologic WTA Tour Final, second in Doha and fourth at the WTA 1000 level or more (after Doha 2016, Roland Garros 2017 and Miami 2018). Her six-year-old, 321-day gorge since the last of them is the longest between the WTA 1000 final since the start of the format in 2009. The 27-year-old, who has not dropped a set yet this week will meet another unrequited player, Amanda Anisimova, for her biggest title since Roland Garros 2017. Their only previous meeting also took place in Doha, where Ostapenko took their 2022 second round clash 6-3, 4-6, 6-4.

A story with dominance: “I was pretty convinced that I would clearly beat her because we’ve played a lot of matches and I know how to play against her,” Ostapenko said in her on-Court interview. “I focused more on myself and what I had to do. I’m happy with the way I handle my feelings this week.”

The Roland Garros master in 2017 had reason to be so self-insured. She is the only active player with a winning head-to-head against Swatek (with at least two matches game). Included retired players, only another player boasts such a record-earlier world # 1 Ashleigh Barty, 2-0 against the rod.

The 70 minute competition was Swierek’s fastest since she fell 6-0, 6-4 in 69 minutes to Garbiñe Muguruza in 2021 Dubai the second round, and her total four games won the lowest since she lost 6-2, 6-2 to Elena Rybakina in 2023 Indian Wells semi -final. You have to return to 2019 to find a match where Swatek has won fewer than four matches-a 51-minute 6-0, 6-2-route in Birmingham first round in the hands of none other than Ostapenko .

It was their first meeting and Ostapenko continued to prevail on Indian Wells 2021 before a few wins that posted Swierek’s first reign as the world # 1. Her 4-6, 6-1, 7-6 (4) triumph in it 2022 Dubai Third Round was Swierek’s last loss before ascending to the top place and preparing a historic 37-match winning row. Her 3-6, 6-3, 6-1 victory in 2023 US Open Fourth Round meant that Swatek gave the world # 1 to ARYNA Sabalenka for the first time.

Quick to start, quick to exit: Ostapenko started when she meant to continue: flashing a forhand re -winner at the first point of the match, and another to capture the Swatek service in the first game. In a flurry of overwhelming winners, she stamped her authority on the match from off by winning eight of the first nine points.

By getting rid of everything, Ostapenko reached up 24 winners to Swierek’s seven and made only 15 unforced errors. Swatek briefly found an effective answer in the sixth game with a couple of angled winners, but her break point option was sniffed out of a Ostapenko winner.

Ostapenko went from strength to strength in the second set, while Swierek’s level fell. In the fourth game the web Poland a smash and crooked a forhand before Ostapenko came out on top of a wild exchange with a drop shot, an absurd reflex and finally a pinpoint backhand winner on the line.

Up 4-0 and after winning six straight matches, Ostapenko immediately lapsed to admit her serving for the only time with a double error. But it was a pure blip and she resumed Pummeling winners to each corner to close the last two matches.

“ISLAND.I was preparing for the fight and I knew pretty much what I could expect from her, “said Ostapenko afterwards.” I don’t know, sometimes I know where the ball is coming, but sometimes I just go with my feelings and my instincts so it helps me. “