Jelena Ostapenko seems to be gradually regaining her best form after reaching the semifinals of the Qatar Open. The Latvian defeated Ons Jabeur this time and has shown an impressive level. Her next challenge will be against the three-time defending champion Iga Swiatek, against whom she leads the head-to-head 4-0.
Ostapenko has now secured 15 wins at the Qatar Open, likely the WTA 1000 event where she has achieved the best results, with a final in 2016—during her very first main draw appearance in a tournament of this category—and two semifinals (2022, 2025). No other event has seen her reach the semifinals three times.
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The Latvian broke into the top 5 at just 20 years old in 2017—the year she won the French Open—and finished the season ranked No. 7. Since then, she has claimed several titles and consistently advanced in the biggest tournaments. She has secured 22 wins against top-10 players, including 12 against the top 5.
‘Penko’ has already guaranteed a seven-spot jump in the rankings, returning to the top 30 in the live rankings. The 27-year-old is now preparing to face Swiatek in pursuit of a spot in the final—despite the Pole’s dominance on tour, Ostapenko remains undefeated in their four encounters. No other player on the WTA Tour has such a lopsided record against Swiatek.
This week, she has claimed four consecutive victories over Aoi Ito (No. 120), Liudmila Samsonova (No. 23), Jasmine Paolini (No. 4), and Ons Jabeur (No. 35). The question now is whether Ostapenko can keep up the momentum and secure a place in the Doha Open final.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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