Iga Swiatek got here from behind to win an epic first set in opposition to Elena Rybakina earlier than easing to a 3rd successive Qatar Open title.
The world No 1 was a double-break down and likewise needed to save a set level in an exhilarating 90-minute first set earlier than prevailing 7-6 (10-8) 6-2 in Doha.
Swiatek turns into the primary participant to win a WTA occasion for 3 years in a row since Serena Williams claimed successive Miami Open titles between 2013 and 2015.
“You don’t even know how hard it was not to think about it,” four-time Grandl Slam winner Swiatek stated. “I got here right here and I used to be simply fairly burdened due to that as a result of I felt the expectations.
“However I wished to simply do all the pieces step-by-step as I all the time do and once more it labored.
“So thank you to my team also for keeping me on the ground and focusing on the right stuff, because achieving that is great. I’m really happy and really proud of myself.”
How Swiatek maintained Qatar dominance
Most had favoured Doha specialist Swiatek going into the match, however the 3-1 head-to-head file held by Rybakina urged it might be something however easy for the Polish participant.
Any doubts about that had been erased instantly when Rybakina drew a number of errors from Swiatek to interrupt within the opening recreation, earlier than seeing off a pair of break factors on her personal serve with good winners to carry.
The primary set seemed all however accomplished when Rybakina broke once more with extra clear hitting for a 4-1 lead, however a weird second would change the course of the competition.
Serving at 30-15 within the sixth recreation, Rybakina’s comply with via noticed her racket make contact together with her shin, opening a wound which required a couple of minutes of remedy on the finish of the purpose, which she misplaced with an unforced error.
The break allowed Swiatek to have a prolonged courtside change together with her coach, who she would later credit score with providing essential steerage.
One other Rybakina error adopted upon the resumption, and an correct return from Swiatek sealed a break that put her again within the set.
Rybakina rediscovered her focus to deliver up an opportunity to revive the double break, however Swiatek noticed it off earlier than breaking once more within the subsequent recreation to make it 4-4.
Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion, broke for a 6-5 lead and the prospect to serve out the set, however was undone by some exceptional Swiatek defence, which meant a tie-break was required.
The tie-break was someway much more dramatic, with mini-breaks usually exchanged till Swiatek introduced up the primary two set factors at 6-4.
Rybakina gained three factors in a row to create a set level of her personal, however Swiatek responded with a backhand winner to remain in it.
One other probability got here and went for the world No 1, earlier than she lastly chased down a tentative Rybakina volley and put away a passing shot to finish the exceptional set.
“I was just making too many mistakes and I was kind of panicking at the beginning not knowing what I should change,” Swiatek advised Sky Sports activities Tennis.
“But the coach really had a nice idea and I just kind of trusted him and stuck to his idea and his words. I wasn’t really thinking much myself because it was hard for me to analyse perfectly. So I just trusted him and it worked.”
With each gamers having expended a lot power, there was a concern that Rybakina, having spent virtually three extra hours on courtroom through the event than Swiatek, who had a semi-final walkover, might start to tire.
Moreover, the more and more gusty winds in Doha had been all the time extra more likely to bother the taller and fewer agile Rybakina.
Each components appeared to play an element as Swiatek grinded out a break for a 2-1 lead, earlier than following it up with one other one for 5-2 as the extent of high quality dropped off.
With Rybakina’s resistance fading, Swiatek ended the match together with her second championship level, placing away a excessive backhand volley to seal the win in two hours and 17 minutes.
“I just had to kind of accept that I’m going to make some mistakes, more than usual because for sure it was hard for us to sometimes put it in when the ball went crazy,” Swiatek added.
“It was the same last year but this year was a little bit different because it was only today when it got so windy during my match. So I had to adjust quickly.”
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