Maria Sakkari delivered the biggest upset of the Qatar Open so far with her victory over Iga Swiatek.
In the quarterfinals of the WTA 1000 event in Doha, Sakkari defeated Swiatek, coming back from a set down to win 2-6, 6-4, 7-5.
The Greek star handed the Pole her fourth loss of the season, and became the first player to defeat her in a WTA 1000 match after losing the opening set.
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Sakkari has endured a tough start to the 2026 season, with early exits at the Adelaide International and the Australian Open, but now she is just two wins away from a third WTA title.
With her statement win over Swiatek, she has also now joined two others in an exclusive list.
Maria Sakkari joins two active WTA players in impressive feat
The world number 52 is now the third active player to hold either a winning or even record against Swiatek at tour-level events after five matches.
Sakkari and Swiatek are tied in the head-to-head following their match at the Qatar Open, with the score four apiece.
Elena Rybakina and Jelena Ostapenko are the only other two active players who have played five or more matches against Swiatek and hold either a winning or even record.
En route to her maiden Australian Open title, Rybakina beat Swiatek in straight sets to make it 6-6 in the rivalry.
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Ostapenko, on the other hand, has dominated Swiatek over the years and holds a 6-0 undefeated record against the six-time major champion.
Maria Sakkari’s semifinal opponent at the Qatar Open
Now, Sakkari will face Karolina Muchova in the semifinal of the Qatar Open, as she continues her pursuit of a second WTA 1000 crown.
She has faced Muchova five times before on the WTA Tour, but trails in the head-to-head 4-1.
Her sole victory in the rivalry came in their first-ever meeting in Egypt during the 2016 season, which Sakkari won in straight sets.
Since then, Muchova has not lost to Sakkari, but their last clash was back in 2023 at the Cincinnati Open.
They will now do battle for a sixth time, with a place in the final of the Qatar Open up for grabs.
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