World number one, Iga Swiatek has claimed the Qatar Open title for the third year in a row with a straight-set victory over Elena Rybakina.
Poland’s Swiatek trailed by a double break in the first set at the weekend but regrouped to beat Kazakhstan’s Rybakina 7-6 (10-8) 6-2 in Doha.
Swiatek had lost her three matches against Rybakina in 2023.
It is four-time Grand Slam champion Swiatek’s first W.T.A title of the year and her 18th overall.
She is the first player to win a WTA singles title three times in a row since American Serena Williams claimed the Miami Open from 2013 to 2015.
Swiatek trailed Rybakina 4-1 in the first set but found her rhythm, forcing things back on serve and saving a set point before closing out the tie-break after 90 minutes.
Rybakina had to take a medical timeout after hitting her leg with her racquet while serving in the first set, and she quickly went down a break in the second.
Swiatek broke the Rybakina serve once more before serving out for victory.
Both are scheduled to play in the Dubai Tennis Championship, which begins on Friday.