DOHA, Qatar (AFP) — World No. 1 Iga Swiatek won the Qatar Open for the third year in a row on Saturday after beating Elena Rybakina 7-6 (10/8), 6-2 in the final.

Swiatek is the first player to win three straight titles at the same WTA event since Serena Williams completed a Miami Open hat-trick from 2013-15.

"You don't even know hard it was not to think about it," said Swiatek, whose record now stands at now 13-1 in Doha since her 2020 debut.

"I came here and was pretty stressed because I felt the expectations. I wanted to do everything step by step like I always do. I'm really happy. I'm really proud of myself."

Swiatek claimed her 18th career singles title, and her first of the 2024 season. Her only defeat in the last 23 matches was to Czech teen Linda Noskova in the Australian Open third round.

Rybakina fell short in her bid for a third title of the year. The Kazakh had lifted the trophy last week in Abu Dhabi after winning in Brisbane at the start of January.

"I fought till the end," said Rybakina, who defeated Swiatek in all three meetings last year. "Congratulations to Iga for a great week."