Elena Rybakina's journey to the Doha quarterfinals was a testament to her resilience and determination. After a challenging match against Zheng Qinwen, Rybakina emerged victorious with a score of 4-6, 6-2, 7-5. This win marks her sixth WTA 1000 quarterfinal since the start of 2025 and the 18th of her career. But the road to success was not without its hurdles. Rybakina had to overcome a set deficit and Zheng's late-game charge to secure the win.
The match began with Zheng Qinwen displaying a dominant serving performance in the opening set. Despite landing only 52% of her first serves, she won all 13 points played behind it, facing no break points and repeatedly pressuring Rybakina's serve. This allowed Zheng to pocket the opener in 43 minutes.
However, Rybakina's determination and skill took over in the second set. She flipped the script, taking the set 6-2 and facing no break points while generating seven of her own. She capitalized on Zheng's second serve, winning 7 of 11 points. This shift in momentum set the stage for the deciding set.
In the final set, Rybakina made hay on her own second serve, winning 7 of 10 points to stay ahead and force a decider. Her comeback extended her blistering start to the season, improving her record to 11-1 in 2026 and 16 of her past 17 dating back to last year's WTA Finals. With this win, Rybakina also improved her head-to-head record against Zheng to 3-1.
Despite Zheng's impressive performance, Rybakina's ability to adapt and her unwavering focus proved to be the difference. This win sets the stage for an intriguing quarterfinal match against Victoria Mboko. As the tournament progresses, Rybakina's performance will be a key factor in determining the eventual champion. Stay tuned for more updates and exciting matches!
