Kontaveit Cools Ostapenko, Will Meet Swiatek For Doha Title

Jelena Ostapenko’s dream of a desert double fell short today in Dubai as Anett Kontaveit cooled the red-hot Latvian 6-1, 6-4.

Ostapenko entered having won her last nine matches but St. Petersburg champion Kontaveit had won her last eight, and the Estonian stayed on her roll.

The 26-year-old Kontaveit has now made the finals of seven events since mid-August, and tomorrow she’ll go for her sixth title in that span. She’ll move into the Top 5 come Monday.

“I was trying to play a consistent match and just do my best on my serve and hold on to it, especially in the second set when I was a break up. Sometimes when she’s on fire, her returns are unplayable and it’s just very difficult,” said Kontaveit.

“But I kept repeating to myself, ‘I’m really good at serving it out, I’m really good at serving it out,’ and eventually managed to do that.”

Kontaveit will challenge Iga Swiatek for the title on Saturday. Swiatek eased past Maria Sakkari 6-4, 6-3 for her first win in four tries against the Greek.

“Really excited,” Swiatek said. “For sure I showed consistency throughout the whole tournament, and I’m really happy that I could keep my level of tennis at a really high level.”

Swiatek and Kontaveit have split four career meetings.

“We were kind of even in everything,” said Swiatek looking at the final.

“I don’t know how it’s going to be right now, because the last match I played against her was basically before she had that great streak at the end of last year. I’ll be ready for anything, honestly. Every match is a different story.

“Anett showed she’s really consistent and I really respect that, because how she played during the past few months, it’s been amazing. I just hope it’s going to be a good show. I hope I’m going to be able to play my game and just look forward.”

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