Iga Swiatek failed to contain her emotions at the Qatar Open after smashing her racket – much to the shock of rival Jelena Ostapenko.
Swiatek, the three-time defending champion in Doha, had been unstoppable at the tournament since 2020.
But Ostapenko — who boasts a flawless record against the world No. 2— put an end to that streak in emphatic fashion.
The Latvian needed just 71 minutes to cruise to a commanding 6-3, 6-1 victory, and her stunned expression when Swiatek hurled her racket in frustration said it all.
Both players entered the semi-final riding impressive streaks.
Swiatek had won 15 consecutive matches in Doha, while Ostapenko had never lost to her in four previous WTA meetings.
The latter wasted no time asserting dominance, breaking in the opening game and firing winners from all angles.
Ranked No. 37 in the world, Ostapenko broke again to wrap up the first set 6-3.
With Swiatek struggling to find her rhythm, the second set quickly spiralled away from her.
The defending champion missed a crucial break-back opportunity at 0-2, allowing Ostapenko to hold for 3-0 — prompting a rare show of frustration as Swiatek launched her racket toward her bench.
Ostapenko, a finalist in Doha back in 2016, was visibly taken aback by the outburst.
The 27-year-old’s expression of disbelief was caught on camera as she watched the five-time Grand Slam champion lose her composure.
GettyOstapenko will face Amanda Anisimova in Saturday’s final[/caption]
The Latvian kept her foot on the gas, extending her lead to 4-0 before Swiatek finally broke back to get on the scoreboard.
But it was too little, too late as Ostapenko secured a fifth break of serve to seal the win, finishing with an impressive 24 winners to Swiatek’s seven.
Her victory means that she has become the first player to beat Swiatek five times in head-to-head WTA matches.
Reflecting on her dominant performance, the former French Open champion said: “I feel like this court has a special energy and it was always helping me.
“As I said, everything started for me here on this court.”
Ostapenko will now face America’s Amanda Anisimova in Saturday’s final.
