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Qatar Open: Iga Swiatek to face Elena Rybakina in WTA final on Saturday

World number one Iga Swiatek will face Elena Rybakina in the women's singles final at the Qatar Open on Saturday.

Swiatek won the title in 2022 and 2023 and advanced to another final as Karolina Pliskova had to withdraw because of a back injury.

Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion, beat Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-2 6-4 to reach her third final of 2024.

Pliskova had defeated Japan's Naomi Osaka in the quarter-finals on Thursday but was unable to play on Friday.

"Sorry for the tournament that I had to withdraw, but unfortunately I had too many matches in the last couple of days, and my body just didn't react well, especially after last night having a tough match against Naomi," said Czech player Pliskova, who won the Transylvania Open title on Sunday.