Iga Swiatek vs. Jelena Ostapenko: Where to Watch, Doha Preview, Betting Odds

Where to Watch

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The winner of this match will face either Ekaterina Alexandrova or Amanda Anisimova in the final.

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Doha Qatar TotalEnergies Open Semifinal Preview

“For sure, I think, yeah, she plays well against me,” Swiatek said after her last meeting with Ostapenko, at the 2023 US Open.

It wasn’t a statement that really needed to be made. A few minutes earlier, Ostapenko had run her record against Swiatek to an improbable 4-0, which is where it sits today.

Ostapenko, as we know, goes for broke on virtually every shot, and that barrage of flat pace obviously has an effect on Swiatek. The Pole likes to take long swings, with an extreme Western grip, on her forehand side. But against this opponent, she doesn’t have time. She also likes to control the rallies from the first shot, but against this opponent it’s very difficult to feel like you have control over anything.

“I don’t really know what happened with my game,” Swiatek said after that three-set US Open defeat. “I felt no control suddenly.”

Can Swiatek break the Ostapenko curse on Friday?

It’s hardly a lock, considering how dialed in the Latvian has looked in Doha. She followed a 6-2, 6-2 win over No. 4 seed Jasmine Paolini with another 6-2, 6-2 win over Ons Jabeur in the quarters.

But there are a couple of reasons to like Swiatek’s chances anyway. She obviously loves this court, where she has won 15 straight matches dating back to 2021. And she has faced down a pair of power hitters, Elena Rybakina and Linda Noskova, in her last two matches.

Swiatek looked determined and positive in those wins, especially against Rybakina. I’d expect her to be even more determined, and more motivated, with a chance to prove she can beat a lower-ranked player who has had her number.—Steve Tignor

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Betting Odds

Swiatek is a -375 moneyline favorite; Ostapenko is a +290 underdog.

To win the tournament, Swiatek is -200 and Ostapenko +550.

(Odds from BetMGM as of 3:56 pm ET on Wednesday, February 12)

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