Top-ranked Iga Swiatek secures her third consecutive Qatar Open

No. 1 ranked Iga Swiatek won the Qatar Open for the third consecutive year. Swiatek defeated Kazakhstan’s No. 4 Elena Rybakina 7-6 (8), 6-2 in the final. Rybakina led 4-1 but sliced her leg during her serving motion and required medical treatment. Swiatek rallied to 4-4. Rybakina broke again at 6-5 and had a chance to serve out the set, but Swiatek broke back.

In the tiebreaker, the defending champion from Poland squandered three set points, bringing the score to 8-8. Swiatek then blasted a backhand winner and sealed the 90-minute set with a backhand passing stroke. Swiatek’s 18th career singles title was her first this year. Serena Williams was the last woman to win three consecutive WTA events, in 2015 at the Miami Open.

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