Iga Swiatek, eliminated in the “quarters” in Doha! The Pole saved two match points, but was defeated

Ashley Davis12/02/2026

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Article by David Istrate – Published Thursday, February 12, 2026, 6:59 p.m. / Updated Thursday, February 12, 2026, 7:05 p.m.

Iga Swiatek (24, 2 WTA) was eliminated in the quarter-finals of the WTA 1000 tournament in Doha by Maria Sakkari (30, 52 WTA), score 6-2, 4-6, 5-7. It is the second consecutive competition that the Pole has exited at this stage, after the elimination in the “quarters” of the Australian Open.

Thursday, February 12, is the day of the quarter-finals of the WTA 1000 tournament in Doha. Iga Swiatek started well against Maria Sakkari and won the opening set 6-2 after 33 minutes.

Maria Sakkari bounces back from 0-1 down to beat Iga Swiatek in Doha 'quarters'

The situation changed in the second set, which the 30-year-old athlete started with 3-0. Swiatek came back from 2-4, equalized, but Sakkari continued his excellent performance and closed the sequence: 6-4.

In the decisive set, the tennis player from Greece led 5-2, being one game away from qualifying for the semifinals. The world number 2 gave a fitting reply, winning 3 consecutive games, saving a match point and leveling at 5.

A game to 0 followed for Sakkari and then two match points on Swiatek's serve. The 24-year-old once again saved a match point, but her opponent saved the next one to prevail 2-6, 6-4, 7-5 after two hours and 30 minutes.

SENSATIONAL from Sakkari! 🤩@mariasakkari advances to the semifinals defeating Swiatek 2-6, 6-4, 7-5!#QatarTotalEnergiesOpen pic.twitter.com/3k55fRE1Li

— wta (@WTA) February 12, 2026

Maria Sakkari: “When you fall in the ranking, you start to doubt yourself”

I'm speechless because it's been a while since I've had a day like this. When you fall in the rankings and don't play good tennis, you start to doubt yourself. You think you'll never beat these players again.

It's a huge process you have to go through in your head to be able to do that. Last year, in the second round played against them, I had no confidence. I didn't believe in myself. This year is different. I must say I feel much better

– Maria Sakkari

In the semifinals of the Doha tournament, Maria Sakkari will meet either Karolina Muchova (29 years old, 19 WTA) or Anna Kalinskaya (27 years old, 28 WTA).

The tennis player ranked 52nd in the world has had an excellent start to the year, managing to beat Naomi Osaka and Emma Răducanu at the United Cup. Also in Doha, Sakkari had passed Jasmine Paolini.

On the other hand, Iga Swiatek is at the second consecutive tournament that she leaves in the “quarters”, after, at the Australian Open, she lost 5-7, 1-6 to Elena Rybakina (26 years old, 3 WTA), the player who would award her the trophy.

109-1is Igăi Swiatek's record in WTA 1000 tournament matches in which she won the opening set