Maria Sakkari joins exclusive WTA group after win over Iga Swiatek in Doha

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Maria Sakkari pulled off the biggest surprise of the Qatar Open so far, knocking out world No. 1 Iga Swiatek in a dramatic quarterfinal.

Sakkari fought back from a set down to win 2-6, 6-4, 7-5, handing Swiatek her fourth defeat of the season and becoming the first player to beat her in a WTA 1000 match after dropping the opening set.

Sakkari had lost early at both the Adelaide International and Australian Open, but now stands just two wins away from adding a third WTA title to her name.

She also joins an exclusive club of players who have recorded multiple victories over Swiatek, adding another highlight to her career.

Maria Sakkari matches record held by two other WTA Players

The world No. 52 is now the third active player to have either a winning or even record against Swiatek in tour-level matches after five meetings.

Sakkari and Swiatek are now level in their head-to-head, with their match at the Qatar Open bringing it to four apiece.

Elena Rybakina and Jelena Ostapenko are the only other two active players who have played five or more matches against Swiatek and hold either a winning or even record.

Rybakina recently levelled her rivalry with Swiatek at 6-6 following a straight-sets victory en route to her first Australian Open title. Ostapenko, meanwhile, remains unbeaten against the six-time major champion, holding a perfect 6-0 record.

Maria Sakkari to face Karolina Muchova in Qatar Open semifinal

Maria Sakkari is set to face Karolina Muchova in the Qatar Open semifinals as she looks to secure her second WTA 1000 title.

The Greek star has played the Czech five times, holding a losing record of 1-4.

Sakkari’s only win against Muchova came back in their first match in Egypt in 2016, when she won in straight sets. Since then, she has lost four matches on the bounce, and hasn’t beaten her since.

In their most recent meeting at Cincinnati Open last year, Muchova won comfortably in straight sets. Now, they are set to meet for a sixth time with a spot in the final on the line.