Swiatek edges closer to Doha-Dubai double
Iga Swiatek is one step closer to claiming a rare Doha-Dubai double thanks to a convincing 6-3, 6-2 quarter-final victory over Chinese sixth seed Zheng Qinwen on Thursday in the UAE. The world number one, who lifted the trophy in Doha for a third consecutive time last Saturday, extended her unbeaten streak to seven matches and is looking to become the first woman since 2007, and just the third overall, to win both Gulf tournaments in the same season. In what was their sixth meeting in the span of 20 months, Swiatek came up clutch when she needed to as she improved to a perfect 6-0 lifetime against Zheng. The Polish top seed will next take on Russian world number 40 Anna Kalinskaya, who upset world number three and reigning US Open champion Coco Gauff 2-6, 6-4, 6-2. An early break of serve was enough for Swiatek to secure the opening set, outlasting Zheng in some key powerful baseline battles to take the lead in 42 minutes. Swiatek had to save a break point in game four before pouncing on the Zheng serve and she didn't lose another game, sprinting to victory in one hour and 26 minutes. Meanwhile, world number four Elena Rybakina withdrew ahead of her scheduled quarter-final, citing a gastrointestinal illness. Rybakina's decision to pull out of the tournament sends Italian Jasmine Paolini into the semi-finals of a WTA 1000 event for the first time in her career. Paolini will next take on Romanian Sorana Cirstea, who said she pulled off the "biggest comeback of my career" after rebounding from 2-6, 1-5 down and saving six match points to defeat reigning Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova 2-6, 7-6 [7/1], 6-2. (AFP)