Qatar Open 2022: Iga Swiatek vs Anett Kontaveit preview, head-to-head & prediction
Match details
Fixture: (7) Iga Swiatek vs (4) Anett Kontaveit
Date: 26 February 2022
Tournament: Qatar Open
Round: Final
Venue: Doha, Qatar
Category: WTA 1000
Surface: Outdoor Hardcourt
Prize money: $2,331,698
Live telecast: USA - Tennis Channel | UK - Amazon Prime Video
Iga Swiatek vs Anett Kontaveit preview
Iga Swiatek and Anett Kontaveit will face each other for the 2022 Qatar Open title on Saturday.
Swiatek started her year with back-to-back semifinals in Adelaide and at the Australian Open.
In Doha, she has shown what she's capable of. The 20-year-old advanced to the final after defeating top seed Aryna Sabalenka in the quarterfinals and Maria Sakkari in the semifinals.
Kontaveit, meanwhile, came into the final during one of the best periods of her career. A strong finish to 2021, which included titles in Moscow and Romania, has seen her crack the top 10 of the WTA rankings.
The Estonian started the year with a semi-final finish in Sydney before going on to lift the title in St. Petersburg earlier this month.
Konataveit continued her form in Doha by defeating Ons Jabeur and the in-form Jelena Ostapenko to reach the final.
Iga Swiatek vs Anett Kontaveit head-to-head
The final in Doha will be the fifth meeting between Swiatek and Kontaveit, and their head-to-head currently tied 2-2. Kontaveit won the pair's first two matches in Cincinnati in 2019 and at the 2020 Australian Open.
Swiatek defeated the Estonian at Roland Garros and the US Open last year.
Iga Swiatek vs Anett Kontaveit prediction
Kontaveit and Swiatek are both riding a wave of confidence and momentum. This promises to be a close contest.
Swiatek's heavy groundstrokes allow her to take control of proceedings from the baseline. However, she is also effective at redirecting pace, which was evident in her win over the big-hitting Aryna Sabalenka.
Kontaveit will be a tough nut to crack for the 20-year-old. The Estonian has stayed true to her aggressive brand of tennis in recent months, but has managed to minimise the unforced errors.
Swiatek has the slight edge when it comes to serving. The Pole does not serve too many aces, but she can hit her spots and set up the points effectively. If the Pole can maintain a steady level throughout, she should be able to pick up her first title since the 2021 Italian Open.
Prediction: Iga Swiatek to win in three sets.