Meet Elena Rybakina In Qatar Open 2024 Final, This Is What Iga Swiatek Said

JAKARTA - The world number one from Poland Iga Swiatek will face Kazakhstan tennis player Elena Rybakina in the Qatar Open 2024 women's singles final.

Swiatek, who won the title at this event in 2022 and 2023, advanced to the final because his opponent in the semifinals of Karolina Pliskova decided to withdraw due to a back injury.

"Sorry for the tournament I had to leave, but unfortunately I've had too many games in the last few days, and my body hasn't reacted well, especially after a tough game against Naomi last night," said Pliskova, quoted by BBC Sport.

The trip to the final automatically opens up opportunities for Swiatek to win the WTA title in the same tournament for three years in a row since Serena Williams lifted the Miami Open titles in 2013, 2014, and 2015.

This opportunity is very open, especially Swiatek, who is 22 years old, has won his last 11 matches in Doha.

"I'm happy to be in another final here in Doha, but I hope we can play tonight and entertain you [AUDIENCEs]. Hopefully Pliskova will recover soon," Swiatek wrote on his social media.

Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion, stepped into the Qatar Open final this year after beating Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-2 and 6-4. This is her third final in 2024.

The world number four has won 15 of the 17 matches he played in 2024. In addition, he also won titles in Brisbane and Abu Dhabi.

He has a record 3-1 win-loss from his previous meeting with Swiatek. The latest win came after the Polish player withdrew in the third set last year in Rome.