WTA star on eight-match winning streak reacts after beating Jessica Pegula at the Qatar Open

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The 2025 Qatar Open is well underway as several top stars struggle in the Middle East.

The first WTA 1000 tournament of the year has already seen plenty of big names fall to shock defeats.

Coco Gauff lost to Marta Kostyuk in the second round, 2-6, 5-7, as she failed to advance to the last 16.

Aryna Sabalenka, Qinwen Zheng, Emma Navarro, and Paula Badosa all suffered the same fate, as five top ten players lost in the second round.

Italian star Jasmine Paolini lost in the third round, as did world number ten Daria Kasatkina, leaving just three top-ten players in the quarter-finals.

World number five Jessica Pegula looked to make her way into the semi-finals but ran into a WTA star who has been in scintillating form recently.

Ekaterina Alexandrova reacts after extending winning streak with victory over Jessica Pegula in Qatar

Russian star Ekaterina Alexandrova fought back from a set down to knock Pegula out of the Qatar Open with a 4-6, 6-1, 6-1 win.

During her on-court interview, Alexandrova was asked to explain her level over recent weeks, having just won her eighth straight match.

“Honestly I don’t know,” she said.

“I’m just trying to play every match, every single point and try not to think about the future, just be present and just [go] step-by-step.

“I’m glad it’s working out because right now I feel amazing, and to be here in the semi-finals it’s just great.”

Alexandrova beat Sabalenka in the second round, securing her second-ever win over a world number one.

The 30-year-old was refreshingly honest when asked whether she thought she would reach the semis when the draw was released last week.

“Probably not, I was not thinking about that because when I saw the draw I thought maybe not so far, but I just play every single match and hope for the best,” said Alexandrova.

“I’m really happy with the result and the way I’m playing right now, so I want to keep it going as long as possible, no matter what.

“Overall, it was a great match for me here, and I’m hoping to continue that.”

Alexandrova will now play the winner of Kostyuk and Amanda Anisimova in the semis as she looks to reach the final of a WTA 1000 tournament for the first time.

Ekaterina Alexandrova’s eight-match WTA Tour winning streak

The world number 26 entered this week’s Qatar Open in fine form, having won the Linz Open in Austria earlier this month.

Alexandrova has beaten some of the finest players on tour during her eight-match winning streak, taking down four former Grand Slam finalists.

• 2025 Qatar Open QF – Ekaterina Alexandrova beat Jessica Pegula (2024 US Open finalist)
• 2025 Qatar Open 3R – Ekaterina Alexandrova beat Elise Mertens
• 2025 Qatar Open 2R – Ekaterina Alexandrova beat Aryna Sabalenka (2023 Australian Open, 2024 Australian Open, US Open winner)
• 2025 Qatar Open 1R – Ekaterina Alexandrova beat Emma Raducanu (2021 US Open winner)
• 2025 Linz Open F – Ekaterina Alexandrova beat Dayana Yastremska
• 2025 Linz Open SF – Ekaterina Alexandrova beat Karolina Muchova (2023 French Open finalist)
• 2025 Linz Open QF – Ekaterina Alexandrova beat Petra Martic
• 2025 Linz Open 2R – Ekaterina Alexandrova beat Aliaksandra Sasnovich

She began her campaign in Qatar with a comfortable win over 2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu, condemning the Brit to a fourth-straight defeat.

While Raducanu struggles, Alexandrova shines as she continues to build on her mightily impressive winning streak.

The Russian is on the second-longest winning streak of any player on the WTA Tour, only trailing the 2025 Australian Open champion.

Madison Keys won both the Adelaide International and Australian Open, securing 12-straight victories.

A title for Alexandrova in Doha would see her winning streak extend to ten matches, which would present an opportunity for her to surpass Keys at next week’s Dubai WTA 1000 event.

Alexandrova will first focus on her semi-final match as she takes on the winner of Kostyuk and Anisimova on Friday, February 14.