Mboko shocks Rybakina as Swiatek loses to Sakkari

Canadian teenager Victoria Mboko knocked Australian Open champion Elena Rybakina out of the Qatar Open quarter-finals, while world number two Iga Swiatek was beaten by the unseeded Maria Sakkari.

Mboko trailed 2-4 in the decider, but rallied to win the final four games in Doha to take a 7-5 4-6 6-4 win that moves her towards the top 10 in the WTA rankings for the first time.

The 19-year-old, who started the season ranked outside the top 300, has now beaten world number three Rybakina twice in their four encounters.

“I didn’t really have that many expectations because she has a great record now, she just won the Australian Open. Going into the match I knew I had to play my ‘A’ game,” said Mboko.

“I understand that the higher profile players you play, you’re going to have to raise your level.”

Unseeded Sakkari was lost for words after her 2-6 6-4 7-5 triumph over top seed Swiatek.

Having reached a career-high of world number three four years ago, Sakkari has since fallen to number 52 and is without a tournament win since March 2024.

But after a nervous opening set Sakkari recovered to book her place in the last four.

“I’m speechless because it’s been a while since I had a big win like today,” she said.

“When you drop in the rankings and you’re not playing good tennis, you start doubting yourself.

“You’re thinking that you’re never going to beat those players again.”

The Greek will take on Czech Karolina Muchova in the other semi-final, after the 14th seed swept past Russia’s Anna Kalinskaya 6-3 6-4.