Jelena Ostapenko’s hilarious reaction to Iga Swiatek’s racket smash was caught on camera during their Qatar Open clash.
Swiatek was the three-time defending champion in Doha and had not lost a match at the tournament since 2020. But Ostapenko – who has never lost a match against the world No. 2 – ended her incredible streak.
The Latvian needed 71 minutes to earn a dominant 6-3 6-1 victory, and she couldn’t hide her shock when Swiatek threw her racket in frustration.
Swiatek’s semi-final match against Ostapenko was a big one. Both women came into the match on two amazing streaks.
The Pole was on a 15-match winning run in Doha while Ostapenko had a 4-0 record over her opponent. It was advantage Ostapenko early on, as she broke in the opening game, finding winners all over the court.
The world No. 37 earned her second break of the match to take the opening set 6-3. She kept on rolling as Swiatek struggled to win a game in the second set.
Swiatek blew a break-back point, allowing Ostapenko to hold for 3-0. The defending champion was visibly frustrated, chucking her racket towards her bench.
Ostapenko, a finalist here in 2016, was stunned. The 27-year-old looked gobsmacked, witnessing a rare outburst from the five-time Grand Slam champion.
The breaks kept on coming in set two. Ostapenko reeled off her sixth straight game to lead 4-0 but Swiatek pulled one back, breaking to get herself on the board again.
It was the last game she won, as Ostapenko broke for the fifth time and closed out a 6-3 6-1 victory, booking her spot in the final with a statement performance – hitting 24 winners to just seven from Swiatek.
Afterwards, the former French Open champion said: “I feel like this court has a special energy and it was always helping me. As I said, everything started for me here on this court.
“Today I went on the court and I was pretty confident that I would beat her because we played a lot of matches and I know how to play against her and I just was more focusing on myself and knew what I have to do. I’m really happy with the way I’m handling my emotions this week. I’m just so happy to be in the finals.”
While Swiatek is known for her dominance in Doha, Ostapenko also has a special connection with the event. “I honestly love this tournament. Every time I’m waiting for this tournament to happen,” she said.
“It’s really great to come here. They host us amazing here, the atmosphere on this court, the fans, everything. The facilities are even better now, I’m just really pleased to be here.”
Ostapenko will face either Ekaterina Alexandrova or Amanda Anisimova in the final after ending Swiatek’s five-year unbeaten run at the Qatar Open.
