Google News
World No. 1 Iga Swiatek has become the first player since Serena Williams to make three consecutive finals in a single hard-court tournament after reaching the Doha final, via OptaAce.
Swiatek, the No. 1 seed and the defending champion in Doha, progressed into the final at the tournament after Karolina Pliskova gave her a walkover in their semifinal match. When Swiatek takes to the court on Saturday to play against Elena Rybakina in the final, it will be the third consecutive Doha final for the 22-year-old Pole.
In 2022, Swiatek won her first Doha title after destroying Anett Kontaveit 6-2 6-0 in the final. Last year, Swiatek successfully defended her Doha title after beating Jessica Pegula Pegula 6-3 6-0. This year, Swiatek has come a win away from a three-peat in Doha.
The last time that a player made three consecutive finals in a single hard-court tournament happened between 2015 and 2017, when Williams achieved the feat at the Australian Open. During those three years, Williams won the Australian Open in 2015 and 2017 while she ended as runner-up at the tournament in 2016.
3 - Following Karolina Pliskova's withdrawal, Iga Swiatek has become the first player to make three consecutive finals in a single hard court WTA event (Doha 2021-2023) since Serena Williams at the Australian Open (2015-17). Splendid.#QatarTotalEnergiesOpen | @WTA_insider @WTA pic.twitter.com/d6VjX3UQAI
— OptaAce (@OptaAce) February 16, 2024
Swiatek achieves a Williams feat following a Pliskova walkover
After winning five matches en route to winning Cluj-Napoca last week, Pliskova also ended on the winning side in her first four matches in Doha this week.
"Sorry for the tournament that I had to withdraw, but unfortunately I had too many matches in last couple of days, and my body just didn't react well, especially after last night having a tough match against Naomi," Pliskova said in a statement.
"I felt like I was pushing it a little bit over limit, and then I felt very big pain in my lower back, so I'm not able to compete anymore."
On X, Swiatek issued a short statement, wishing Pliskova a quick recovery and admitting that she is happy to be through to her third Doha final.
"I'm happy to be in another final here in Doha but I wish we could play tonight and entertain you guys. Hope you'll get well soon
@KaPliskova. Congrats to you and your team on your great two weeks," Swiatek wrote on X.
I'm happy to be in another final here in Doha but I wish we could play tonight and entertain you guys. Hope you'll get well soon @KaPliskova. Congrats to you and your team on your great two weeks.💪🏼
— Iga Świątek (@iga_swiatek) February 16, 2024
Swiatek may be just a win away from winning Doha but the Pole lifting a third consecutive Doha title is far from guaranteed considering that the Pole has lost her last three meetings against Rybakina.