© Getty Photographs Sport – Clive Brunskill
World No. 1 Iga Swiatek has develop into the primary participant since Serena Williams to make three consecutive finals in a single hard-court match after reaching the Doha last, by way of OptaAce.
Swiatek, the No. 1 seed and the defending champion in Doha, progressed into the ultimate on the match after Karolina Pliskova gave her a walkover of their semifinal match. When Swiatek takes to the courtroom on Saturday to play in opposition to Elena Rybakina within the last, will probably be the third consecutive Doha last for the 22-year-old Pole.
In 2022, Swiatek received her first Doha title after destroying Anett Kontaveit 6-2 6-0 within the last. Final 12 months, Swiatek efficiently defended her Doha title after beating Jessica Pegula Pegula 6-3 6-0. This 12 months, Swiatek has come a win away from a three-peat in Doha.
The final time {that a} participant made three consecutive finals in a single hard-court match occurred between 2015 and 2017, when Williams achieved the feat on the Australian Open. Throughout these three years, Williams received the Australian Open in 2015 and 2017 whereas she ended as runner-up on the match in 2016.
3 – Following Karolina Pliskova’s withdrawal, Iga Swiatek has develop into the primary participant to make three consecutive finals in a single laborious courtroom WTA occasion (Doha 2021-2023) since Serena Williams on the Australian Open (2015-17). Splendid.#QatarTotalEnergiesOpen | @WTA_insider @WTA pic.twitter.com/d6VjX3UQAI
— OptaAce (@OptaAce) February 16, 2024
Swiatek achieves a Williams feat following a Pliskova walkover
After profitable 5 matches en path to profitable Cluj-Napoca final week, Pliskova additionally ended on the profitable aspect in her first 4 matches in Doha this week.
“Sorry for the match that I needed to withdraw, however sadly I had too many matches in final couple of days, and my physique simply did not react effectively, particularly after final evening having a troublesome match in opposition to Naomi,” Pliskova mentioned in a press release.
“I felt like I used to be pushing it somewhat bit over restrict, after which I felt very large ache in my decrease again, so I am not capable of compete anymore.”
On X, Swiatek issued a brief assertion, wishing Pliskova a fast restoration and admitting that she is pleased to be via to her third Doha last.
“I am pleased to be in one other last right here in Doha however I want we might play tonight and entertain you guys. Hope you may get effectively quickly @KaPliskova. Congrats to you and your workforce in your nice two weeks,” Swiatek wrote on X.
I am pleased to be in one other last right here in Doha however I want we might play tonight and entertain you guys. Hope you may get effectively quickly @KaPliskova. Congrats to you and your workforce in your nice two weeks.💪🏼
— Iga Świątek (@iga_swiatek) February 16, 2024
Swiatek could also be only a win away from profitable Doha however the Pole lifting a 3rd consecutive Doha title is much from assured contemplating that the Pole has misplaced her final three conferences in opposition to Rybakina.
