Maria Sakkari upset Iga Świątek 2-6, 6-4, 7-5 on Thursday, advancing to her third Qatar Open quarterfinals. Over two hours and 29 minutes, Sakkari ended a nearly five-year winless streak against the world No. 2.
Świątek, a three-time Qatar Open champion at the event, entered on an 18-2 tournament record. However, she went on to commit 16 backhand errors while struggling at the net throughout the match.
The 30-year-old Greek tennis star took the second set, breaking early for a 2-0 lead. Świątek later leveled, earning two break points while serving in the ninth game. But Sakkari held for 5-4, closing the set on Świątek's 16th backhand error.
In the third set, Sakkari opened a 5-2 lead before Świątek broke back twice to level at 5-5, saving a match point with an ace. A disputed double-bounce call disrupted Sakkari's momentum briefly. She held for 6-5, then earned two more match points. On the third, Świątek put a forehand volley into the net.
"I'm speechless because it's been a while since I had a big win like today," Sakkari said postmatch. "When you drop in the rankings and you're not playing the semis, you start doubting yourself and think you’re never beating those players again."
The Qatar Open win marks the first time Sakkari has recorded two Top 10 wins at the same tournament since the 2022 WTA Finals.
"It's amazing," Sakkari added. "This is one of the best tournaments of the season so it's a huge honor."
How to watch Maria Sakkari in the 2026 Qatar Open semifinals
Sakkari will next face either Karolina Muchova or Anna Kalinskaya in Saturday's Doha semifinals, live on The Tennis Channel.
