Watch: Opponent shocked as Iga Swiatek smashes racquet in emotional on-court outburst | Tennis Information

Iga Swiatek (Screengrabs)

NEW DELHI: Three-time defending champion Iga Swiatek suffered a crushing 6-3, 6-1 defeat towards Jelena Ostapenko within the Qatar Open semi-finals on Friday. The loss marked Swiatek’s fifth straight defeat to the Latvian star, extending a stunning head-to-head dominance for Ostapenko.
Swiatek, who had been using a 15-match profitable streak in Doha, was aiming to change into the primary participant since 2011 to win the identical WTA match 4 occasions in a row. Nevertheless, Ostapenko had different plans, storming via the match in simply 70 minutes.
The world No. 37 unleashed 24 winners towards 15 unforced errors, dismantling Swiatek’s recreation and leaving the second-ranked Pole visibly annoyed.
Swiatek, recognized for her composure on the courtroom, let her feelings spill over after dropping the third recreation within the second set. In a uncommon outburst, she smashed her racquet towards the bottom in frustration, beautiful each her opponent and the gang.
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Ostapenko, the 2017 French Open champion, was in full management from begin to end.
She broke Swiatek within the opening recreation, rapidly racing to a 2-0 lead. Swiatek struggled to maintain tempo and, regardless of a short fightback within the second set, was unable to shift the momentum in her favour.
“I felt assured going into the match as a result of I’ve performed her a number of occasions and knew what to anticipate,” stated Ostapenko. “I simply centered on my recreation and executed my plan effectively.”
With the victory, Ostapenko superior to her third WTA 1000 last, the place she is going to face Amanda Anisimova. The American booked her place within the last with a convincing 6-3, 6-3 win over Ekaterina Alexandrova.
Anisimova, making a robust comeback on the tour, ended Alexandrova’s eight-match unbeaten streak to arrange an all-unseeded last in Doha. The championship match guarantees to be an intense battle, with each gamers eyeing a prestigious WTA 1000 title.