Third seed Elena Rybakina is into the final of the Qatar Open after a 6-2 6-4 win over Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in Friday’s semi-final and will now meet world number one Iga Swiatek in the decider.
Defending champion Swiatek will be well rested as she bids to win the tournament for a third consecutive year, after she received a walkover in her semi-final when Karolina Pliskova withdrew because of a lower back injury.
“Sorry for the tournament that I had to withdraw, but unfortunately I had too many matches in the last couple of days, and my body just didn’t react well, especially after last night having a tough match against Naomi,” said Pliskova.
“I felt like I was pushing it a little bit over limit, and then I felt very big pain in my lower back, so I’m not able to compete any more.”
Russian-born Kazakhstani player Rybakina, with wins in Brisbane and Abu Dhabi already this year, looked to be easing to victory before the unseeded Russian put in a brave finish, and will now meet Swiatek in a final for the first time.
“I’m happy to be in another final here in Doha but I wish we could play tonight and entertain you guys. Hope you’ll get well soon @KaPliskova,” Swiatek said on social media.
“Congrats to you and your team on your great two weeks.”
After an even opening, Rybakina served to love to make it 2-2 before going on to break the Russian’s serve twice in the first set.
The second set saw Rybakina break serve straight away, and after that, it looked a formality despite Pavlyuchenkova having six break points before Rybakina rallied to hold serve to make it 3-1 and followed up with another break.
Rybakina served for the match at 5-2, but Pavlyuchenkova wasn’t beaten just yet and broke serve for the first time to push her opponent all the way, but Rybakina held her nerve, and her serve, to foil any chance of a comeback.
Swiatek and Rybakina have met on four occasions before now, with Rybakina winning the last three, which includes their quarter-final last year in Rome when the Pole retired through injury with the match tied at one set each and 2-2 in the third.
Top seed Swiatek will bid to become the first player to win a WTA event three straight times since Serena Williams won the Miami title from 2013-15, when she goes up against Rybakina in Saturday’s final.
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