Iga and Aryna try to meet again
Sabalenka and Swiatek, who have been No. 1 and 2 for nearly three years, have never played a final on anything other than clay. They’ll try fagain this week at the hard-court 1000 in Doha, where they’re the top two seeds.
Based on recent history, and their own current levels, they have a chance. Swiatek is the three-time defending champion, and both women played well enough to make the semifinals or better at the Australian Open. But a No. 1 vs. No. 2 final is hardly a lock in a field this strong. Fellow Top 10 players Coco Gauff, Jasmine Paolini, Elena Rybakina, Jessica Pegula, Zheng Qinwen, Emma Navarro and Paula Badosa are all here.
Sabalenka may have to go through Pegula and Gauff to make the final; Swiatek may have to beat Rybakina and Zheng.
Potential quarterfinals to watch: Gauff vs. Navarro, Sabalenka vs. Pegula, Siwatek vs. Rybakina
Not in the draw: Madison Keys
