Qatar Open LIVE: World No.1 and defending champion Iga Swiatek returned to the final of the Qatar Open with a commanding 6-0, 6-1 win over No.8 seed Veronika Kudermetova in Friday’s semifinals. Swiatek is through to her first final of 2023 as a result of the victory. She’ll bid for her 12th career title on Saturday against No.2 seed Jessica Pegula. Follow Qatar Open 2023 LIVE updates on InsideSport.IN
Qatar Open Highlights: Iga Swiatek storms into final of Qatar Open 2023, defeats Veronika Kudermetova in straight sets – Follow Swiatek vs Kudermetova Highlights
Swiatek improved to 3-0 all-time against Kudermetova with a 56-minute victory in Doha. Swiatek has lost just eight games in six sets in the head-to-head, and also lost just one game in their third-round meeting in Indian Wells a year ago.
Swiatek coped with blustery conditions the better of the two players. She hit 14 winners to five unforced errors, breaking Kudermetova’s serve five times. Kudermetova hit just four winners to 15 unforced errors, and never earned a break point.
Qatar Open LIVE: Iga Swiatek eyes spot in Qatar Open final, faces Veronika Kudermetova in semifinal – Follow Swiatek vs Kudermetova LIVE updates“I was pretty worried about how I was going to compete with the conditions today, so I’m glad that I could play the smart way,” Swiatek said in victory. “I’m pretty happy that I was so solid.”
Swiatek has lost just two games in two completed matches in Doha. She beat 2022 Australian Open finalist Danielle Collins by an identical score to her win against Kudermetova in Round 2, and benefitted from a walkover from Belinda Bencic in the quarterfinals.