Elena Rybakina sets up semi-final with Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova at Qatar Open after ending run of Leylah Fernandez
WTA
Elena Rybakina has won her seventh game in the last eight days as she continues her superb from and came back from a slow start to see off Leylah Fernandez 6-4, 6-2 to reach the semi-finals of the Qatar Open in Doha.
Rybakina won the Abu Dhabi Open last week to erase the disappointment of a poor Australian Open and with Jelena Ostapenko now out, she could yet be the first player of the season to win three titles in only two months with scope to add even more. She now faces Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova who ended the run of Danielle Collins.
Collins is in the draw for the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships qualifying so will have to continue playing after losing to the resurgent Russian. While Rybakina saw off Fernandez who has been in superb form this week including coming from a bagel deficit to see off Paula Badosa and Qinwen Zheng in the last round, but despite a good start, she was no match for Rybakina.
Fernandez had a great start going 4-1 up with a break of serve at 1-0 and to go 4-1 up. But Rybakina came back from the poor start to make it 4-4 with a second break point and flipped it over to go 5-4 up and went one away from the set. Rybakina sealed the set from there. Despite a back and forth, she claimed the set with a second set point.
It was a different scenario in the second set as it was Rybakina who broke to make it 4-2 after initially having break points to make it 3-1 initially. A rampant hold of serve made it 5-2 before she claimed a second break of the set and a second match point for the win. The Ice Queen moves on, another week another semi-final for Rybakina.
Samuel GillEditor-in-Chief
Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of TennisUpToDate.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces across the TennisUpToDate network, playing a central role in the daily operation and development of the site.
Based in Leicester, Samuel has a broad background in tennis media. In his current role, he works closely with editors and writers to ensure coverage meets clear journalistic standards, with particular attention to verification, consistency, and timely updates when new information becomes available.
claps 11visitors 1
Just In
Popular News
Latest Comments
- Wtf? Why is there no reason? And what about the men's?Bel08-11-2026
- One step by another step -- WTA continues to 'lose the plot'. Too many hi-tech microphones being installed at most venues!!! Remove them (especially those along the hallways, sidewalks, and pathways throughout the venues. Not to mention (most of all) remove the mic's from the Players/Coaches Box.
mandoist06-11-2026 - Enough of her bullshit. Go marry someone.mandoist06-11-2026
- Don't you just love this young lady!? We fans often expect athletes to be supermen and superwomen, often forgetting that they WILL GET TIRED! I love Alex's perspective. Tiredness for an athlete should never be viewed as a negative, especially if you are healthy, taking care of your body and mental health and putting in the work. What a mature perspective. Good for you, Alex!Rapunzel05-11-2026
- Jess is absolutely correct! But the disrespect is a trait I have noticed in most of the Russian players. Mirra is good but very immature and lacks humility. Conceivable needs to get a handle on that!Rapunzel05-11-2026
- Having spent weeks and weeks through the years on tour, I can say with confidence that Conchita was (is) one of the very few who realize the surprising level of maturity (and sometimes lack of) which Mirra seems to have developed in such a demanding adult world of Pro-Tennis. While at the same time reminding herself (Conchita, that is) that Mirra is still young and developing mentally and physically. The general public may forget at times, or not at all realize, these modern era young athletes do not have a 'normal' Youth. It's a major sacrifice, among countless sacrifices, these athletes must make. People who blow-off that fact are ignorant and unfair when they blurt out, "They choose fame so they have to put up with the intrusions on their lives". No, they do not.mandoist05-11-2026
- Okay... someone with a camera was EAVESDROPPING on a private conversation. Shouldn't that be the point of discussion here? Regardless of the sensationalist crap by media, Pegula (and anyone) has a right to an opinion. There used to be an expectation that private conversations were respected, regardless of 'stardom' and whatever other defensive excuses media tries to shove in our faces. Boo-hoo if feelings are hurt. BTW: Having been employed at various tourney venues, etc., I can't tell you how nasty and offensive players can be when discussing their opponents and colleagues... in "private". Well, I could, but won't. I also challenge anyone to deny what Jessica said is false.mandoist05-11-2026
- Vacherot is Mongasque, rather than Swiss. The tournament was Swiss :DTrwd7702-11-2026
- After a couple decades traveling to IIHF tourneys overseas... our family is done with it... and I will not be the only one!! Bad enough the NHL allows Ovachenko (a Putin Supporter and Campaigner) to live and play in the USA. Let's not forget the STATE SPONSORED RUSSIAN DOPING PROGRAMS still in effect today.mandoist31-10-2026
- Osaka's mental state apparently does not allow her to reach any more Quarter Finals? I mean, she doesn't really have the time for tennis with all the pre-planning that must go into her 12 year-old "fashion" goals.mandoist29-10-2026
