Jessica Pegula and Elena Rybakina ended the string of upsets dominating early-round action at the Qatar TotalEnergies Open on Wednesday, Pegula joining Rybakina in the quarterfinals with a 6-3, 7-5 win over Daria Kasatkina.
Rybakina, the No. 5 seed, was through first after a trio of top seeds fell on Tuesday, defeating Rebecca Sramkova, 7-6 (1), 6-2.
“It was tough match,” the 2022 Wimbeldon champion said in her post-match press conference. “I think I started a little bit slow, and in the second set felt much more comfortable and more confident.”
