Alexandrova battles past Pegula into Doha semi-finals

DOHA: Ekaterina Alexandrova ousted sixth-seed Jessica Pegula to sweep into the semi-finals of the WTA Qatar Open on Thursday.

Russian Alexandrova won 4-6, 6-1, 6-1 to set up a meeting with either Ukraine´s Marta Kostyuk or American Amanda Anisimova for a place in the final. Alexandrova, ranked 26th, is on an eight-match winning streak having won the tournament in Linz, Austria earlier this month.

The Russian struggled in the first set against her fifth-ranked opponent, saving six of eight break points, and paying for four double faults. But she took control thereafter allowing her opponent just two games to ease through for a 2-1 record in their third meeting.

“I just play every single match and every single point and I don´t think about the future,” said the 30-year-old, who is bidding for a sixth career title. “It´s step by step and I am glad that policy is working out as I feel amazing. Being in semis is just great. “When I saw the draw I thought maybe I will not get very far. But overall so far played great matches here...hope it continues.”