Swiatek and Rybakina cruise as Gauff exits

Doha, Qatar: Top seeds Iga Swiatek and Elena Rybakina delivered commanding wins, while world No. 5 Coco Gauff suffered a shock exit at the Qatar Total...

Doha, Qatar: Top seeds Iga Swiatek and Elena Rybakina delivered commanding wins, while world No. 5 Coco Gauff suffered a shock exit at the Qatar TotalEnergies Open in Doha yesterday.

World No. 1 Swiatek opened her campaign in dominant fashion, brushing aside American teenager Janice Tjen 6-0, 6-3 in the first round.

Poland’s Swiatek, who is chasing an unprecedented fourth title in Doha, needed just 25 minutes to claim the opening set, dropping no games. Tjen made a brief fightback in the second set, but Swiatek regained control to seal a comfortable win.

Speaking during the courtside interview, Swiatek expressed her delight at being back in Doha and thanked the spectators for their support.

“Thank you for coming to cheer us on from our first matches,”Swiatek said, adding she had to adopt a different type of rhythm in the 69-minute match.