Iga Swiatek has a pretty interesting approach to her Doha semifinal as the world No. 2 says she can “play without expectations” due to her record against Jelena Ostapenko.
As you probably know, the Latvian is one of the trickiest and most challenging opponents for the five-time Grand Slam champion.
Even after elevating her game to a completely new level and becoming the best player in the world, the Pole again struggled to beat the current world No. 37.
When they meet today, it will be their fifth meeting and also Swiatek’s fifth attempt to finally get a win over Ostapenko.
In the past, the Latvian claimed routine straight-set wins in 2019 Birmingham and 2021 Dubai.
In their last meetings, the Polish star played better but still picked up defeats in three sets in 2022 Dubai and the 2023 US Open.
But it has been a year and a half since they last played and Swiatek hopes today is the day.
“Βecause of the head-to-head, I can kind of play without expectations and just focus on work, maybe try to change something so I can finally win,” the world No. 2 said, via Vicky Geogatou.
“She’s a tough opponent and she has played amazing against me. I’ll just have another chance and I’ll try to use it.”
Iga on Ostapenko: “Βecause of the head to head, I can kind of play without expectations and just focus on work, maybe try to change something so I can finally win. She’s a tough opponent and she has played amazing against me. I’ll just have another chance and I’ll try to use it”.
— Vicky Georgatou (@VGeorgatou) February 13, 2025
Ostapenko thinks Swiatek ‘does not like my style’
A few months after their 2023 US Open meeting, the 2017 French Open champion said it was “mentally tough” for the Pole to play against her.
“She doesn’t like my style of tennis either. She likes to dictate the game more and she also tries to play aggressively,” the Latvian added at the time.
“It is difficult for her in games against me – I try to play more aggressively.”
Tennis World USA