Greek tennis star Maria Sakkari delivered one of the standout performances of her season in Doha, defeating top seed and three-time champion Iga Swiatek 2-6, 6-4, 7-5 to advance to the semi-finals.
The victory marks Sakkari’s first win over Swiatek since 2021 and stands as one of the highest-ranked triumphs of her career. It also ends Swiatek’s long streak of never losing a completed WTA 1000 match after winning the first set, a run that had reached 109 matches.
Sakkari’s win positions her to face either Karolina Muchova or Anna Kalinskaya as she continues her push for a first WTA 1000 title. She previously reached the finals at Indian Wells and Guadalajara in 2022, the same year she climbed to a career-high ranking of No. 3 before later slipping to No. 52 during a difficult period on tour.
Sakkari reflects on confidence and pressure after breakthrough win
Speaking after the match, Sakkari said the win carried special weight. She explained that falling in the rankings and struggling with form had created doubts about whether she could compete at this level again.
THE STREAK IS OVER 🤯
Previously *109-0* after winning the first set in WTA 1000 (completed) matches, Iga Swiatek is defeated by Maria Sakkari 2-6 6-4 7-5 in Doha!
109-1. Unbelievable run. pic.twitter.com/S6uNwXuJoS
— Bastien Fachan (@BastienFachan) February 12, 2026
She added that she lacked belief when she faced Swiatek last season, but her confidence has improved significantly this year.
Swiatek entered the match with a dominant record in Doha, having won 17 of her previous 18 matches and reaching the quarterfinals in each of the past five editions. Her timing from the baseline, however, never fully settled on this occasion.
Greek tennis star Maria Sakkari closed out the decider
Swiatek controlled the opening set by breaking Sakkari in the fifth game and winning four straight games. Sakkari responded quickly in the second set, taking a 3-0 lead before Swiatek pulled even at 4-4. The momentum shifted again when Sakkari fought off two break points late in the set and broke Swiatek to force a third.
The final set opened with exchanged breaks as Swiatek’s errors increased. Sakkari built a 5-3 lead and earned a chance to serve out the match. She missed that opportunity, but sealed the win on Swiatek’s serve when the world No. 1 sent a routine volley into the net.
In earlier action, 2025 runner-up Jelena Ostapenko defeated lucky loser Elisabetta Cocciaretto 7-5, 6-4. Ostapenko ended Swiatek’s 15-match winning streak in Doha last year before losing the final to Amanda Anisimova.
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