'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Match details
Fixture: (6) Maria Sakkari vs (7) Iga Swiatek
Date: 25 February 2022
Tournament: Qatar Open
Round: Semifinals
Venue: Doha, Qatar
Category: WTA 1000
Surface: Outdoor Hardcourt
Prize money: $2,331,698
Live telecast: USA - Tennis Channel | UK - Amazon Prime Video
Maria Sakkari vs Iga Swiatek preview
Sixth seed Maria Sakkari will take on familiar foe Iga Swiatek in the semifinals of the 2022 Qatar Open on Friday. While Sakkari eased past Coco Gauff 6-3, 6-3, Swiatek upset top seed Aryna Sabalenka 6-2, 6-3 in the quarterfinals.
Maria Sakkari came to Doha fresh off an impressive run in St. Petersburg, where she finished as a finalist. The Greekwoman has carried her momentum into the Arab city and is yet to drop a set this week.
After beating young American Ann Li in the opening round, Sakkari prevailed over ninth seed Jessica Pegula. She further stopped the advance of precocious teenager Coco Gauff to make her second semifinal of the season.
Swiatek, meanwhile, is brimming with confidence after pulling off a comprehensive victory over top seed Aryna Sabalenka. The 2020 Roland Garros champion is into her third semifinal of the season, after making the last four in Adelaide and at the Australian Open.
The 20-year-old Pole, who is currently ranked No. 8 in the world, has a chance at cracking the top 5 with the title this week. She has never won a set against Maria Sakkari, let alone a match. She will look to change that when she takes to court on Friday.
Maria Sakkari vs Iga Swiatek head-to-head
The duo have met thrice before with Maria Sakkari leading the head-to-head 3-0. She won their most recent encounter, which took place at the WTA Finals last year in straight sets.
Maria Sakkari vs Iga Swiatek prediction
Sakkari and Swiatek play high-octane tennis and use their heavy groundstrokes to push their opponents further behind the baseline. Swiatek's win over the hard-hitting Aryna Sabalenka is a testament to her ability to redirect pace and counterpunch effectively.
Sakkari, on her part, has often failed to produce her best tennis towards the business end of tournaments, something she will look to avoid on Friday.
The duo have been immaculate on serve this past week and haven't given their opponents too many break point opportunities. Swiatek, however, was particularly impressive on return in her previous match against Sabalenka, converting seven of eight break points.
If the Pole stays assertive during long exchanges and maneuvers the ball around the court well, she should be able to grab her maiden win over the Greekwoman.
Prediction: Swiatek to win in three sets.
