Qatar Open: Imperious Swiatek crushes Kudermetova, sets up final versus Pegula

Pole Iga Swiatek, the top seed, moved into the final of the Qatar Open by defeating Russian Veronika Kudermetova, the No 8 seed, 6-0, 6-1 at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex in Doha on Friday.

Swiatek, ranked No 1, will face American Jessica Pegula, the second seed, for the title.

“I was worried how I would cope with the conditions…I’m really happy I was so solid,” Swiatek said afterwards, reflecting on the court breeze.

“It always takes a lot to win against Jessie, she’s a great player. We’ll see, I don’t know what’s going to happen…I’m going to go and play my best tennis.”

It was just another day at the Swiatek bakery as the world No 1 handed out a bagel and a breadstick. She has now played Kudermetova three times and dropped only eight games in total.

Last year, Swiatek’s title win in Doha was the start of her incredible 37-match winning streak.

Kudermetova had been in good form this week, beating two former Grand Slam champions in Barbora Krejcikova and Sofia Kenin as well as current top-10 player Coco Gauff.

The 21-year-old Pole won against American Danielle Collins (6-0, 6-1) and Swiss Belinda Bencic, the No 7 seed (W/O) ahead of her victory.

In the previous rounds of the Doha Open, Kudermetova, ranked No 11, beat Czech Barbora Krejcikova (6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (5)), American wildcard Sofia Kenin (6-2, 7-5) and American Coco Gauff, the No 4 seed (6-2, 3-6, 6-1).

Doha WTA 500, other semi-final result (Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex, hard, USD 780.637):

• Jessica Pegula beat Maria Sakkari (5): 6-2, 4-6, 6-1

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