Preview Women’s Quarter-Final 2025 Qatar Open: Iga Swiatek and Elena Rybakina battle again for semi-final spot

The Qatar Open will feature a rematch of last year’s final between Iga Swiatek and Elena Rybakina. This after both players delivered in their respective quarter-final matches. Their 2024 Doha final was a thrilling battle. But ultimately won by the Polish star.

World No. 2 Swiatek survived a tough test against Linda Noskova. This a rising rivalry that now stands at 4-1 in favour of Swiatek. The 20-year-old Czech continues to challenge the Pole. Wednesday’s match was no exception, with Noskova pushing her to the brink in the decider.

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Rybakina stands in Swiatek’s way again

On the other side, Rybakina lived up to expectations by defeating Rebecca Šramková 7-6, 6-2. The Slovak had been one of the surprises of the tournament. This after taking out teenage sensation Mirra Andreeva in the previous round.

Rybakina is arguably Swiatek’s toughest opponent, consistently producing thrilling matches against her. Their 2024 Doha final ended in a 7-6(10), 6-3 victory for Swiatek. In the process securing her third consecutive Qatar Open title. However, the head-to-head remains 4-3 in favour of Rybakina. As a result, this makes this semi-final clash a must-watch encounter.

With big names like Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff, and Zheng Qinwen already out of the draw, this semi-final is undoubtedly the match of the day. Only Jessica Pegula really remains outside this leading pair.

Iga Swiatek at Qatar Open 2024. She won her 3rd consecutive title at Doha

Their most recent meeting was at the United Cup earlier this year, a lower-pressure mixed-team event. Swiatek claimed a 7-6, 6-4 win. Although both players struggled with form following a break in late 2025.

Swiatek now holds an 11-2 record in 2025. Her only losses came against Gauff (United Cup) and Madison Keys (Australian Open semi-final). Against Keys she even missed a match point. Rybakina stands at 10-3 for the season, with losses to Keys in Australia and Belinda Bencic in Abu Dhabi, where the Swiss won the title.

Swiatek enters as a slight favourite, having never lost in Doha. Mainly as she is chasing a fourth consecutive title in the tournament. However, if anyone can disrupt Swiatek’s dominance, it’s the 2022 Wimbledon champion. Particularly given the Pole’s struggles against Noskova in the quarters.

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Quarter wise it could spell danger for Swiatek if she wins. Jelena Ostapenko could be the next opponent who has often been a thorn in her side.

Either that or it will be Ons Jabeur that awaits. They face off in another top Quarter-Final. Rybakina-Swiatek follows on from Ekaterina Alexandrova v Jessica Pegula. The former having shocked Aryna Sabalenka.

In addition she won Upper Austria Ladies Linz in recent weeks and took out Emma Raducanu in the opening round. Pegula has won seven out of her opening nine matches in 2025. She owns a 2-0 Quarter-Final record in Doha and took down Elina Svitolina and Daria Kasatkina en route.

The other part of the draw sees Marta Kostyuk face Amanda Anisimova. The Ukrainian took down Coco Gauff while the American has been in lightning form defeating Leylah Fernandez. This after seeing off Victoria Azarenka and Paula Badosa.

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