Ruthless Ostapenko powers past Paolini in Doha

Former French Open champion Ostapenko trailed 2-0 in the second set, but responded by reeling off the last six games to win 6-2 6-2 in just 63 minutes.

Ostapenko needed just half an hour to claim the opener, earning a break by serving to love in the third game before seeing out the set at the third time of asking.

But Paolini came out fighting in the second, successfully defending a break point in the opening game before rallying to a break of her own to put Ostapenko on the back foot.

However, in the face of adversity, the Latvian responded emphatically with a stunning display of heavy hitting and quality serving to seal an impressive victory in Doha.

"I feel very special playing in Doha, because I feel this is the place where everything started for me," Ostapenko said in her on-court interview.

Ostapenko will next face either Ons Jabeur or wild card Sofia Kenin for a place in the semi-finals of the competition.

4 - The Qatar Open is the tournament where Jelena Ostapenko has made the most top-10 wins in her career (four). Feeling.#QatarTotalEnergiesOpen | @QatarTennis @WTA @WTA_insider pic.twitter.com/P2sgMwDI0u

— OptaAce (@OptaAce) February 12, 2025

Having already posted consecutive wins this week for the first time since reaching last year's Wimbledon quarter-finals, Ostapenko notched her 12th top 10 triumph at a venue she has become unstoppable at in recent years.

The Latvian has now won 18 main draw matches at the Qatar Open, only winning more at the All England club (20) in her career.