Iga Swiatek's quest for a four-peat will have to go through Elena Rybakina. The World No.2 edged Linda Noskova in a three-set thriller to make the quarterfinals and set up a rematch of last year's final.

DOHA - Three-time defending champion Iga Swiatek overcame Elena Rybakina 6-2 7-5 to reach the semi-finals of the Qatar Open on Thursday, while Russia's Ekaterina Alexandrova defeated American sixth seed Jessica Pegula.

Three-time defending champion Iga Swiatek advanced to the semi-finals of the WTA Qatar Open on Thursday with straight sets win over last year's runner-up Elena Rybakina.

Iga Swiatek defeated Elena Rybakina to advance to the Qatar Open semi-finals, despite Rybakina's early challenge. Swiatek will face either Ons Jabeur or Jelena Ostapenko next. Ekaterina Alexandrova also advanced,

The second-seeded Swiatek will next play Elena Rybakina, who beat Rebecca Sramkova 7-6 (1), 6-2. Sixth-seeded Jessica Pegula also reached the quarterfinals with a 6-3, 7-5 victory over Daria Kasatkina.

Ekaterina Alexandrova ousted sixth-seed Jessica Pegula to sweep into the semi-finals of the WTA Qatar Open on Thursday. Three-time defending Qatar Open champion Iga Swiatek is in quarter-final action later on Thursday against last year's runner-up Elena Rybakina.