In a thrilling lead-up to the semifinals at the Qatar TotalEnergies Open, major developments have emerged from the tournament in Doha. Two matches promise to deliver captivating tennis as the competition narrows down to four leading players.
Doha Semifinals: Mboko Eyes Top 10; Sakkari’s Return in Question
Jelena Ostapenko, the winningest woman in Doha history, secured her spot in the semifinals with a decisive victory over Elisabetta Cocciaretto. This win improved her record in the tournament to 24-9. Ostapenko’s journey in Doha began 10 years ago when she became a finalist at just 18 years old. Now, she faces No. 10 Victoria Mboko, who has made a remarkable impact in her tournament debut.
No. 10 Victoria Mboko vs. Jelena Ostapenko
Victoria Mboko, at just 19 years old, made headlines by eliminating No. 2 seed Elena Rybakina after coming back from a deficit. The match ended 7-5, 4-6, 6-4, showcasing Mboko’s resilience and powerful gameplay. This victory marked her second semifinal appearance in a WTA 1000 event, having won the title in Montreal the previous year.
- Age: 19
- Ranking: No. 10
- Winners in Doha: 126
- Head-to-head with Ostapenko: 0-0
Mboko’s previous performance against Rybakina featured 33 winners, which highlights her aggressive style on the court. She will need to maintain a high level of performance to overcome Ostapenko, who is recognized for her ability to counter heavy pace.
No. 14 Karolina Muchova vs. Maria Sakkari
The second semifinal features No. 14 Karolina Muchova meeting Maria Sakkari. Sakkari recently achieved a significant upset against tournament favorite Iga Swiatek, winning 2-6, 6-4, 7-5. This match marked Swiatek’s first loss after winning the first set in 110 completed WTA 1000 matches.
- Sakkari’s ranking: No. 32 in 2024, No. 52 in 2025
- Previous head-to-head record with Muchova: 0-4
- Sakkari’s ambitions: Regaining status among top players
Sakkari expressed her intent to rise back into the elite ranks of women’s tennis, showing determination in this tournament. Meanwhile, Muchova aims to continue her excellent form, having dropped only 19 games throughout the tournament.
Muchova’s recent victory against Anna Kalinskaya secured her place in her fourth career WTA 1000 semifinal. This could be a pivotal moment for her, as she seeks to join an exclusive group of Czech players who have won the Doha title.
Upcoming Semifinals Schedule
| Match | Date & Time |
|---|---|
| Victoria Mboko vs. Jelena Ostapenko | 6:00 p.m. local time (10:00 a.m. ET) |
| Karolina Muchova vs. Maria Sakkari | 7:30 p.m. local time (11:30 a.m. ET) |
Both matches promise intense competition as players seek to assert their dominance and secure a place in the final. With significant stakes involved, the Doha semifinals are set to provide high-level tennis action.
