Qatar Open shock: Top seed Swiatek dumped out by unseeded Greek

Top seed Iga Swiatek has crashed out of the Qatar Open quarter-finals after suffering a shock three-set defeat to world number 52 Maria Sakkari.

The Polish world number two appeared to be cruising towards the last four after a dominant opening set that lasted just 33 minutes.

However, her unseeded opponent mounted a stunning comeback to seal a 2-6 6-4 7-5 victory in Doha.

Sakkari holds nerve in thriller

This result marks a significant upset, with Sakkari claiming her first set against the four-time major winner in their last five meetings.

The drama peaked in the deciding set when the Greek challenger failed to convert a match point while leading 5-2.

Swiatek ruthlessly punished that error, reeling off three consecutive games to level the contest and seemingly swing momentum back in her favour.

Yet Sakkari refused to crumble under the mounting pressure.

The 29-year-old held her serve before securing a decisive break in the final game to book her place in the semi-finals.

A shot at redemption

Sakkari is now chasing her third WTA singles title and her first trophy since 2023.

She will next face either Karolina Muchova or Anna Kalinskaya as she looks to continue her remarkable run in the Middle East.