Iga Swiatek's quest for a four-peat will have to go through Elena Rybakina. The World No.2 edged Linda Noskova in a three-set thriller to make the quarterfinals and set up a rematch of last year's final.

Iga Swiatek remains on course to maintain her grip on the Qatar Open trophy, but she was given a scare in the last 16 by Linda Noskova.

Swiatek is now up against a crucial quarter-final match with Elena Rybakina, who was the finalist in Doha last year. Their rivalry has been closely fought, with Swiatek holding a 3-2 advantage in their hard-court encounters.