Maria Sakkari had her moment. A brief, promising start. A glimmer of hope. But when you’re facing Iga Swiatek in Doha, hope is fleeting.
The world No. 2 obliterated Sakkari in a crushing 6-3, 6-2 victory, extending her Doha dominance to 14 straight wins and moving one step closer to an unprecedented four-peat at the tournament.
For a brief period, it looked like Sakkari might pose a legitimate challenge. She clawed back from an early break deficit to take a 3-2 lead, showing flashes of the elite level that once propelled her to No. 3 in the world.
Then, Swiatek flipped the switch.
From 3-3 in the first set, the Polish star reeled off eight straight games, suffocating Sakkari with her signature blend of power, precision, and relentless intensity. By the time Sakkari got back on the board in the second set, Swiatek was already up 4-0 and cruising toward victory.
The defending champion held serve the rest of the way, sealing the match in just 84 minutes and continuing her absolute dominance at this event.
Swiatek’s Doha Dynasty: Can Anyone Stop Her?
With this win, Swiatek is now 14-0 in Doha matches, and if she wins the tournament this week, she will secure her fourth consecutive title in Qatar.
Her next opponent? Either Linda Noskova or Yulia Putintseva—both of whom will need a near-miracle to slow down the world No. 2.
Sakkari’s Struggles Continue—What’s Next for the Greek Star?
For Maria Sakkari, this loss is another frustrating setback. After a mental reset during the offseason, she had hoped to start 2025 with renewed confidence and clarity.
Before facing Swiatek, Sakkari had spoken about overcoming external pressure:
“The pressure, it was a lot, being constantly chased and having to prove something to everyone,” Sakkari told WTA Insider.
“I feel the time off was great because I had time to think about a lot of things and see things differently.”
But against Swiatek, her old demons resurfaced—promising starts followed by sudden collapses, a storyline that has plagued her career in big moments.
Had she managed to defeat Swiatek, it would have been a season-defining statement victory. Instead, she’s left searching for answers as she looks to regain her place among the WTA’s elite.
The Verdict: Swiatek Is Inevitable
Sakkari came in with optimism. She even had a lead. But against Iga Swiatek in Doha, leads are meaningless.
The two-time French Open champion is locked in, hunting down yet another title, and at this rate, there may be no stopping her.
Can anyone deny Swiatek a historic four-peat?
Right now, it doesn’t seem likely.