Ostapenko Rolls Past Muguruza For 9th Straight Win; Swiatek Tops Sabalenka In Doha

Dubai champion Jelena Ostapenko continued to stay in form, racking up her 9th straight win toppling fellow French winner Garbine Muguruza 6-2, 6-2 to advance to the Doha quarterfinals.

It’s Ostapenko’s second straight win over French champion after upending Barbora Krejcikova also in straight sets a round earlier.

“I knew it was going to be a tough match against her,” Ostapenko said after. “But I really knew I also have to be aggressive and take time away from her, which I think I did pretty well, and I was dictating the game today.

“Of course it’s great to have so many matches winning, but the tournament is still not over. I hope I can keep winning here still in Doha. I’m just working on some things and getting more confident, and I think it’s going to help my game.”

In the semifinals tomorrow, the Latvian will take on Anett Kontaveit who is also playing well. The Estonian has won her last eight after dominating Ons Jabeur 6-4, 6-1.

In the top half, the top seed fell as Aryna Sabalenka was bounced by Iga Swiatek 6-2, 6-3.

“This match is going to give me a lot of confidence,” said Swiatek. “I’m very happy that tactically I did a great job, and my mental game was also on point. That’s the most important thing for me, because from the beginning I wanted to be aggressive and to be focusing on myself and on my game.”

Swiatek will now meet Maria Sakkari who ended the run of American teen Coco Gauff 6-3, 6-3. Afterward, the Greek spoke of a hospital visit earlier in the week.

“This tournament did not start the way I wanted,” Sakkari said. “I was in the hospital all Monday morning. I had a very sharp pain in my lower stomach. I just didn’t know if I was going to be able to play this tournament, because I was very, very bad, like I was dying. Three hours before the match, I just left the hospital and, OK, I’ll go try and play and see what I can do

“Three days later, I’m in the semifinal, which gave me actually a lot of confidence, because it shows how much mental strength I have and of course physical strength, as well.”

You Might Like:
Sabalenka, Muguruza Head Open Doha Field
Swiatek Set For Title Defense In Doha; Pegula, Gauff Among Contenders
Kvitova Seeks Desert Double In Dubai; Top 6 Seeds Back From Doha
After Withdrawals, Kvitova, Pliskova, Brady Lead Doha Field
Swiatek Cruises Past Fernandez In Dubai, Sabalenka Wins; Rybakina v Gauff Wed.