A huge chance opened in Qatar before Iga Świątek. Already in the second round it was eliminated Aryna Sabalenkawhich sensationally succumbed to Aleksandrowa Jekaterin 6: 3, 3: 6, 6: 7 (5). Shelf He defends the title, so there is no chance to make up even a point to the Belarusian in the WTA ranking, but Aryna's slip -up can only help to reduce possible losses (in the event of some failure).
Świątek knows Noskova well
The Polish rival in the third round will be Czech Linda Noskova. The Polish player was well known, because they have already played four times, of which our representative was three times better (the only defeat is the third round of Australian Open 2024). A barely 20-year-old tennis player after a weak start of the season in recent matches raised her game to a higher level. In the WTA 500 tournament in Abu Dhabi came to nipineand in Doszy she had no problems with the fence of dangerous rivals in the form of Donny Vekić and Julia Putincew.
Świątek – Noskova for dinner. Linette can play at the same time
Now Czech will try to stop Świątek, who in the second round (in I had a free fate) defeated Maria Sakkari 6: 3, 6: 2 without major problems. We have already learned the start of this meeting. Świątek and Noskova will go to the court as the second from 13:30. Their clash will precede game Jelena Ostapenko from Jasmine Paolini. So, realistically, the Polish-Czech “Battle” will start not sooner than between 15:00 and 15:30.
On the same day as Świątek, it will also come out again Magda Linette. She won the Polish-Polish “Derby Magd” with Magdalena Fręch after almost three hours of battle 7: 5, 5: 7, 6: 4. As a reward, she will have a clash with Ukrainian Marta Kostiuk, who sensationally beat Coco Gauff. It is possible that this match will take place at a similar time as the meeting of Świątek – Noskova. The Polish and Ukrainian woman will go to the court as the third from 12:00, after two doubles clashes. So it will probably also be something around 15:00.