Elena Rybakina and Qinwen Zheng left it all out on the court in Qatar, producing one of the most gripping battles of the tournament so far. It was the 2024 Olympic gold medalist Zheng who delivered the first blow, taking the opening set 6-4 with fearless shot-making and pinpoint serving. Rybakina, however, responded in emphatic fashion, storming through the second set 6-2 to force a decider.

The third set was nothing short of dramatic. The Kazakh star appeared to have one foot in the quarterfinals as she served for the match, only for Zheng to find another gear and extend her stay in Doha. But when it mattered most, it was the reigning 2026 Australian Open champion who held her nerve, eventually sealing a hard-fought 4-6, 6-2, 7-5 victory in two hours and 27 minutes on Wednesday night. 

With the win, Rybakina advanced to her third consecutive Doha quarterfinal and improved her head-to-head record against Zheng to 3-1 at WTA Tour-level events. After being pushed to the limit, Elena Rybakina was quick to credit her opponent’s level in her post-match interview. “She played really well. In some moments, incredible shots. Serve also. It’s nice to see her back. I’m super happy I managed to win. I was leading in the 3rd set and couldn’t get my opportunities. But happy in the end it went my way.”

The respect between the two was evident throughout the contest, with both players exchanging appreciative glances and nods after several breathtaking rallies. For Rybakina, it was another test of patience and composure - qualities that have defined her recent dominance.

Elena Rybakina’s victory marked her ninth consecutive win, underlining the rich vein of form she has carried into the 2026 season. She now boasts a staggering 22 wins in her last 23 matches. Dating back to the WTA Finals last year, the 10th seed has won 16 of her past 17 matches, improving to an impressive 11-1 record in 2026.

The Doha quarterfinal appearance also etched Rybakina’s name into an exclusive list. She became just the fourth player to reach 10 or more quarterfinals at WTA-level tournaments held in the Middle East, joining Caroline Wozniacki, Agnieszka Radwanska, and Jelena Jankovic - elite company by any measure.

In commentary for Sky Sports, former British star Melanie South was full of praise for both competitors. “Simply incredible match between two players who have so much respect for one another. You could see the eye contact, the well-played from [Elena] Rybakina to [Qinwen] Zheng…”

South’s assessment perfectly captured the high-quality duel that unfolded under the Doha lights - a contest built on power, precision, and mutual respect. What did Zheng say after the match?

Qinwen Zheng reacts to her hard-fought defeat against Elena Rybakina

Qinwen Zheng may have fallen short in Doha, but the Chinese star walked away with her head held high after pushing World No. 3 Elena Rybakina to the brink in a pulsating three-set encounter.

Despite the narrow defeat, Zheng viewed the week as a step in the right direction. “I think the problem is during a match, I have some up-and-down focus, and suddenly I lose concentration for a long time,” Zheng told reporters after the match. “I guess that’s because for a long time I didn’t compete.”

“I hope (by) playing more matches, this will get better. (I’m) always looking for things to improve, and that’s what I see from this week.” Her self-assessment reflected maturity beyond her years. After battling through consecutive three-set wins over Sofia Kenin and Alycia Parks earlier in the week, Zheng once again showed resilience and fighting spirit against one of the tour’s most in-form players.

But now, awaiting Rybakina in the quarterfinals is No. 10 seed Victoria Mboko, who battled past Mirra Andreeva in her own three-set thriller to book a spot in the last eight. The Canadian teenager initially wasn’t even sure who her opponent would be but made it clear she expects a stern test.

“I’ll probably be watching the match when I get to the hotel,” Mboko said. “Whoever wins, I just know I’m going to have a really tough opponent tomorrow. Maybe I can try to watch and see if I can pick up on some things to do tomorrow, but I’m entertained to see their match first.”

Meanwhile, looking to extend her streak to 10 consecutive wins, Rybakina, meanwhile, is well aware of the challenge ahead. The two met three times last season, with the Kazakh holding a 2-1 advantage, including a victory in Tokyo.

“I definitely will try to recover from today’s match, it was a really tough one,” Rybakina said after overcoming Zheng. “Victoria [Mboko] is a great player. We played a couple of times already last year. She has been playing really well. She is young with good shots and a great serve, so I will try to recover and do my best, and we will see what is going to happen.”

Do you think Elena Rybakina can beat this 19-year-old rising star and move one step closer to clinching yet another title in 2026? Share your thoughts in the comment box.

Written by

Sayantan Roy

Sayantan Roy is a seasoned tennis journalist at EssentiallyTennis. He brings a deep tactical understanding to his coverage, breaking down head-to-head records, match dynamics, and on-court strategies with precision. For more than two years, Sayantan has been a key member of the Live Events desk, delivering real-time insights and data-backed predictions for the platform’s Matchday Preview section. His analytical approach has sparked editorial debates and drawn recognition from respected tennis voices, including commentator and analyst Olly_Tennis. Combining his experience in writing with a passion for insightful sports journalism, Sayantan’s work serves as a trusted reference point for tennis fans around the world.

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