Swiatek Advances To Qatar Open Final, Will Be Tested By Rybakina

Elena Rybakina is ready to block Iga Swiatek's move to win his third straight title at WTA 1000 (photo; dock. intermediate).

JAKARTA - The world's defending and world number one champion, Iga Swiatek, stepped forward to the Qatar Open final after winning an impressive victory. Meanwhile, Elena Rybakina is ready to block her steps to win the third straight title at the WTA 1000 event.

Swiatek is scheduled to face Karolina Pliskova in the semifinals. However, the Czech, who just won the Cluj tournament in Romania last weekend, was forced to resign due to a back injury.

Swiatek also stepped into the final without competing, awaiting a fierce battle against former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina.

Rybakina, who is the third seed in the tournament, appeared tough against Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in the semifinal match. In a tight battle, Rybakina managed to beat Pavlyuchenkova with a score of 6-2, 6-4.

In that match, Rybakina was able to take advantage of break point opportunities well, converting four of the six opportunities she got. Meanwhile, Pavlyuchenkova struggled to take advantage of a break point opportunity, only managed to take advantage of one of the nine opportunities she had.

"I'm happy that in the end I managed to finish the game, playing a little better at these important moments," said Rybakina.

The final match between Swiatek and Rybakina is scheduled to take place on Saturday 17 February. Rybakina admits that the match against Swiatek will be a tough challenge, considering that Swiatek is a great champion.

"He (Swiatek) is a great champion, so it will be very difficult. But I will try to enjoy it and do my best," said the tennis player from Kazakhstan.

Rybakina himself is in good form, eyeing his third title this year after winning in Adelaide last month and in Abu Dhabi last week.