SUMMARY
- Elena Rybaina clashed with Iga Swiatek in the final of the Qatar Open.
- The Kazakh freakishly injured her shin, bringing back memories of Emma Raducanu's injury at the US Open final.
The Qatar Open final saw Elena Rybakina clash with defending champion Iga Swiatek. It was a closely fought game between the two giants of the WTA. As the momentum of the match swung from one end to the other, Rybakina injured herself with her racket. It was a freak accident, but it resulted in comparisons with British star, Emma Raducanu.
Elena’s injury was as bizarre as it was unfortunate. She was leading 4-1 against Swiatek in the opening set, but she hit her shin on the follow-through of her serve.
Rybakina had to take a medical timeout since there was a cut and she was bleeding. The match resumed only after Elena received medical assistance on her leg.
Elena Rybakina received a medical timeout in the Doha final against Iga Swiatek
She hit her shin/leg area with her racquet when she was finishing her serve & is bleeding a bit.
Ouch. 🤕 pic.twitter.com/LgkkMpOxm1
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) February 17, 2024
Rybakina’s freak injury was reminiscent of Raducanu‘s injury in the US Open final against Leylah Fernandez. Like Elena, Raducanu had also grazed her leg with her racket, and she needed assistance. Fernandez was fuming because the medical timeout occurred at a crucial juncture during the match.
The cut on Emma’s leg was quite nasty, as blood was oozing down her shin and had to be taped up. Rybakina’s freak injury brought back memories of the final at Flushing Meadows in 2021.
Rybakina would rue the break in the match, as it allowed Iga Swiatek to fight back and level the scores. The Pole fought back brilliantly, to claim her third consecutive title in Doha.
Elena Rybakina vs. Iga Swiatek, Qatar Open final
Rybakina and Swiatek went toe-to-toe in the final in Doha. Swiatek had won the title in the previous two years, and she was on the cusp of history this time. Rybakina went into the tournament on the back of her title run in Abu Dhabi last week. She looked determined to win her first WTA 1000 title of the season, but so did Swiatek.
After Rybakina’s medical timeout, Iga managed to break her. During the sixth game of the set, Elena had a chance to go up a double break but missed the break point. This allowed Iga to bridge the score to 4-3. Swiatek got another break in the next game and saved a break point to go up 5-4.
Rybakina fought back, as Swiatek pushed for a tiebreak, which she ended up winning. Swiatek dominated the second set and ultimately defeated Elena 7-6 (8), 6-2. With this victory, Swiatek became the first player since Serena Williams to win a WTA event three years in a row.
🏆🏆🏆
Iga Swiatek is the first player to win a WTA event three years in a row since Serena Williams (Miami 2013-15) #QatarTotalEnergiesOpen | @WTA pic.twitter.com/EgbnAKtT3D
— Eurosport (@eurosport) February 17, 2024
Iga’s win in Doha was a crucial one since her run at the Australian Open was a forgettable one, putting her rank in jeopardy. Moreover, this is also the seventh WTA 1000 title of her career.
Iga Swiatek was touted to defend the title this year and complete the three-peat, and she restored their faith. She has now won 23 sets at the tournament in a row, a remarkable feat. Swiatek will try to carry this momentum to the Dubai Open next.
