DOHA, Qatar — Three-time defending champion Iga Swiatek reached the Qatar Open semifinals by beating Elena Rybakina 6-2, 7-5 on Thursday.
Swiatek, ranked No. 2, will face either Jelena Ostapenko or Ons Jabeur for a spot in the final.
“The second set, I felt like she raised her level, so I needed to do that too,” Swiatek said after defeating Rybakina in what was a rematch of last year’s title match.
Rybakina began the year with a 4-2 advantage head-to-head against Swiatek, but now they are tied.
Ekaterina Alexandrova continued her winning run by eliminating sixth-seeded Jessica Pegula 4-6, 6-1, 6-1. The Russian, who is ranked 26th, defeated top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka earlier this week.
“When I saw the draw, I thought maybe I will not get very far,” Alexandrova said. “But overall so far played great matches here. I hope it continues.”
Alexandrova will next face either Amanda Anisimova or Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine.