Elena Rybakina found herself needing a break in the Doha final against Iga Swiatek for an unfortunate and peculiar reason. While leading 4-1 in the first set and serving for a 5-1 advantage, Rybakina accidentally struck her leg with her racket. This resulted in a cut and some blood, prompting Rybakina to take a medical timeout to address the injury. The match was temporarily halted until Rybakina received the necessary medical assistance.
During the fifth game, where Rybakina unintentionally injured herself below the knee, she had a 30/15 lead on her serve. However, she lost the next three points, allowing Swiatek to make a breakthrough. Despite losing one of her early breaks, Rybakina had an opportunity to secure a double break in the sixth game. Unfortunately, she missed a break point, allowing Swiatek to narrow the deficit to 3-4.
Swiatek’s momentum continued in the following two games. She managed to break Rybakina’s serve for a second time in the eighth game and successfully saved a break point in the ninth game, giving her a 5-4 lead. Just when it seemed like Swiatek had the upper hand, Rybakina served out the 10th game and broke Swiatek in the 11th game, taking a 6-5 lead. However, Rybakina faltered when serving for the first set, allowing Swiatek to break back and force a tie-breaker.
In the tie-breaker, Swiatek initially had two set points with a 6-4 advantage. However, Rybakina responded by winning the next three points, taking a 7-6 lead and earning her own set point. Swiatek managed to save Rybakina’s set point but missed out on her third set point at 8-7. Eventually, Swiatek secured her fourth set point at 9-8 and successfully converted it, winning a closely contested first set against Rybakina.
Currently, the second set between Swiatek and Rybakina is underway.
According to the Source tennisworldusa.org