In the best match of the tournament so far, Victoria Azarenka defeated Elina Svitolina, 6-3 6-7(4) 6-1 in Doha. It was a highly competitive and well fought match packed full of intense rallies. Azarenka started the match well; she was broken serving for the set, but closed it out in the next game. In the second set, Azarenka was twice down a break before levelling up at 4-4. After holding serve, she put the pressure back on Svitolina and even had a match point. I was really impressed with the tenacious, Svitolina, who played gutsy tennis to stave off the match point and hold serve. She forced a tiebreak and was the more consistent player as Azarenka overpressed with a string of unforced errors. Azarenka saved a couple of set points, but justtt missed a return down-the-line. Azarenka hit 7 winners to 21 unforced errors in what was a sloppy second set.
The pair exchanged breaks at the start of the third set before Azarenka completely ran away with the match. She played an absolutely stunning third set. Where she was just missing in the second set, the errors subsided and she was so positive in her play. Azarenka’s intent to come into the net is always good to see and it adds an extra dimension to her game. She won 27 of 43 net approaches in this match. Svitolina also hit a hotshot at the net in the second set and it’s not the first time she’s done it this year. A year or so ago, I really didn’t rate Svitolina. However, she has really proved me wrong in the last year with a number of impressive displays. In my opinion, she’s very capable of being a solid top 20 player. Her consistency is her biggest strength, but my concern is whether she has a stand-out weapon that sets her apart from the rest.
In the quarter-finals, Azarenka will take on Caroline Wozniacki. The Dane spent just 45 minutes on court as her opponent, Alexandra Dulgheru was forced to retire down 1-6 0-3. As Azarenka v Wozniacki is second up in Doha on Thursday, Wozniacki will have an advantage. Azarenka finished her match at gone 10.30pm in Doha after an intense battle with Svitolina. However, Vika will have pleasant memories from their most recent match at the Australian Open. In a superb all-court performance, Azarenka saw off Wozniacki in straight sets, 6-4 6-2. All these matches in Doha are so difficult to call but for this one, i’m going to stick with my original prediction. If Vika can bring her first and third set level to this match, I think she will prevail. I expect a much, MUCH closer match than the one in Melbourne…
Prediction: Azarenka d. Wozniacki in 3 sets
WTA Doha quarter-final prediction
Carla Suarez Navarro d. Petra Kvitova in 3 sets *as I type this, I know Petra will win hahahaha*
ATP Dubai quarter-final predictions
Andy Murray d. Borna Coric in 2 sets
Tomas Berdych d. Sergiy Stakhovsky in 2 sets
Roger Federer d. Richard Gasquet in 2 tight sets
Novak Djokovic d. Marsel Ilhan in 2 sets
Moo's Tennis Blog 
I agree with Petra’s match, remember what happened in New Haven last year? You did not predict Petra to win, but she ended up winning the title ^^
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Hopefully my prediction is good news for Petra 😉
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Azaranka match wasn’t the best match of the tournament . Petra and Azaranka are playing OK, not that great. Carla and Caroline are playing much better than those two. I hope Azaranka and Petra comes out swinging . These two matches anybody can win, but Vika needs this win more than Caro.
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In my opinion, it was the best match so far. Of course, other people’s opinions mean nothing to you, but it was my favourite match from Doha so far! You obviously didn’t watch the third set because Azarenka was superb.
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