Maria Sakkari came from a set down to defeat world No. 2 Iga Swiatek 2-6, 6-4, 7-5 in the Qatar TotalEnergies Open quarterfinals on Thursday. The victory marks Sakkari's first win over Swiatek since 2021 and ends the Pole's unbeaten streak in WTA 1000 matches after winning the opening set. Sakkari advances to her third semifinal in Doha.
Maria Sakkari produced a resilient performance to knock out top seed Iga Swiatek in the quarterfinals of the Qatar TotalEnergies Open in Doha. The Greek player, ranked No. 52, overcame a dominant first set from Swiatek to secure a 2-6, 6-4, 7-5 victory in just over two and a half hours. This result levels their head-to-head at 4-4 and sends Sakkari into the semifinals for the first time in three years.
Swiatek, the world No. 2 and a three-time champion in Doha, started strongly, breaking for a 3-2 lead and winning the set in 33 minutes with efficient serving and returning. She converted both break points and won 13 of 14 first-serve points. However, Sakkari fought back in the second set, surging to a 4-1 lead before Swiatek leveled at 4-4. Sakkari saved two break points and then broke to force a decider, marking the first time the pair went to three sets in eight meetings.
The third set was dramatic. Sakkari broke for 3-1 and led 5-2, but Swiatek won three straight games to level at 5-5 after a controversial double-bounce call that Sakkari challenged successfully via video review. Swiatek saved a match point with an ace but netted a volley on Sakkari's third match point. "I’m speechless because it’s been a while since I had a big win like today," Sakkari said in her on-court interview. "When you drop in the rankings and you’re not playing good tennis, you start doubting yourself. ... This year, it’s different. I feel quite a lot better."
This win snaps Swiatek's 109-1 record in WTA 1000 matches after taking the first set and is Sakkari's first Top 5 victory since defeating Coco Gauff in Miami 2024. Sakkari, who earlier beat Zeynep Sonmez, No. 6 Jasmine Paolini, and Varvara Gracheva, will face the winner of Karolina Muchova versus Anna Kalinskaya in the semifinals. The victory boosts Sakkari to a projected No. 33 in the live rankings.
