Iga Swiatek suffered his worst defeat in two years when Jelena Ostapenko stepped through the number two world in a straight set to reach the Qatar Open final.
Ostapenko only needs and hours and eight minutes to end the 6-3 6-1 victory over the Grand Slam champion five times in Doha.
The last time Swiatek was at the wrong end of the one-sided match like that was the 6-2 6-2 defeat of Elena Rybakina in Indian Wells in March 2023.
The 23-year-old pole was above the 15th successive victory in Qatar Open and pursued a fourth title in a row.
Ostapenko, ranked 37th in the world, has now won all five meetings with Swiatek.
“I feel this court has special energy,” Latvian said, 27.
“I am quite sure that I will beat him because we have played a lot of matches and I know how to play against him.
“I am very happy with the way I handle my emotions this week. I am very happy to be in the final.”
Ostapenko will play Russian Ekaterina Alexandrova or American Amanda Anisimova in the final Saturday.
