Swiatek wins Qatar Open for 3rd consecutive year
DOHA, Qatar (AP) — No. 1-ranked Iga Swiatek won the Qatar Open for a third straight year on Saturday.
Swiatek defeated No. 4 Elena Rybakina 7-6 (8), 6-2 in the final.
Rybakina led 4-1 but cut her leg in her serving motion and needed medical attention. Swiatek rallied to 4-4. Rybakina broke again for 6-5 and a chance to serve out the set but Swiatek broke back.
In the tiebreaker, the defending champion missed three set points as the score reached 8-8. But then Swiatek hit a backhand winner and snatched the set with a backhand passing shot.
Swiatek's 18th career singles title was her first of the year.
Serena Williams was the last woman to win a WTA event three successive times, in 2015 at the Miami Open.
___
AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis
HEADLINES
- 3-time major winner Angelique Kerber will retire from tennis after the Paris Olympics
- Naomi Osaka is in a better place as she returns to the Olympics and Roland Garros at Paris Games
- Gauff excited to meet fellow flag bearer LeBron at opening ceremony
- Coco Gauff to be female flag bearer for USA at Olympic opening ceremony, joining LeBron James
- Olympic silver medalist Vondrousova, Hurkacz withdraw from Paris Games