PETRA KVITOVA
There was just the one semi-final today in Doha and it was another cracker! Petra Kvitova extended her winning streak to 12 with a come-from-behind victory over the world number one, Caroline Wozniacki, 3-6 7-6(3) 7-5 in two hours and 35 minutes. Kvitova rallied from a set and a break down, and Wozniacki twice failed to serve out the match at *5-4 and *6-5 in the second set.
I started making a cake at the end of the first set because I felt like this match was going to be over in two! The Czech player was committing a lot of unforced errors and Wozniacki was typically solid. Never write off the Petra – her ability to snap into form is staggering! Wozniacki perhaps relaxed a tad and didn’t do enough trying to serve out the match. Kvitova roared into contention and played a fantastic second set tiebreak.
It was a good match that definitely peaked at the end. Kvitova needed two attempts to close out the match with Wozniacki thwarting her at the first instance with an excellent return game. Second time around Kvitova served it out to 15. Words aren’t enough to describe Petra’s amazingness. This has been an inspiring run and so it goes on…
Sunday’s final is set
The Doha singles final will be played at not before 6pm local time (3pm UK time) between Kvitova and Garbiñe Muguruza. Kvitova has a good record against Muguruza and has won three of their four previous clashes. Common sense would suggest Muguruza takes this as the fresher of the pair and having a day off. However, I tend to think Kvitova’s just in the zone, confidence is sky high and she will keep on fighting. I’m going for Petra…
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Dubai main draw is out 🔥
The Dubai main draw has thrown up some stunning first round matches including Kvitova vs. Kontaveit, Mladenovic vs. Osaka, Kerber vs. Strycova, Konta vs. Pavlyuchenkova, Radwanska vs, Kasatkina, Garcia vs. Safarova and Mertens vs. Bellis. Take me there…
Laura Siegemund on the comeback
Laura Siegemund is back on court – primed for a return during the clay court season I guess?
My Tennis Life with Lucie
And finally, check out the latest episode of Lucie’s feature with Tennis Channel. Love this! 😍
Moo's Tennis Blog 
I thought of this blog when I watched most of the Kvitova – Wozniacki match, because I was thinking the second point in the eight game of the third set was astounding from both, but especially from Kvitova. There was one shot she made, hooking it cross-court, which left me pretty speechless. But in the rally she also made a number of other shots, one after another, all under great pressure, all of which were not far from the side- or base-line. When she’s on form, which seems often these days, she’s a delight to watch. Some of the shots reminded my of Djokovic, not that I should bring a man’s name into discussion of a women’s match, perhaps. But there were similarities, I think. Mainly the consistently deep placement resulting from aggressive play combined with impressive accuracy.
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It was another good match! Petra is just a joy to watch in this form and long may it continue 😊
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Very sad about Laura Siegemund, after being ranked in the hundreds for her entire career she finally came into form at 28y/o and moved up to a ranking of #31. Laura gets her biggest win at Stuttgart and then a week later, in her home town, she blows her knee out.
This will be a difficult comeback for a player that is 29y/o.
Clay is supposed to be easier on the legs than hard or grass courts, but Siegemund, Halep, and Kasatkina all suffered significant injuries on clay last year.
Moo, thanks for the update.
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I think Siegemund was an outsider to win the French last year before the injury. Not keen on some of the tactics she has employed in the past but her game is so much to fun to watch and love her positive attitude.
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I hope the final doesn’t end up being a damp squib! I would love for this to be the start of a great rivalry between Petra and Garbine. Both just need to increase their respective consistency levels. There is a chance they could quell the dominance issue on tour somewhat.
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Thankfully not. Petra with the upper hand in the H2H but they’ve had some really good matches. Definitely excited for the next Petra-Garbi match!
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Muguruza is so touch to beat in finals, and her being fresh could be the clincher. I think it’ll be whoever wins the first set wins it all.
I really think Wozniacki should take a break and skip Dubai, although I think she’d lose #1 in that case? I just think she needs to be smart at some point and give her body rest before she ends up with an injury…
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I think the same could be said for Kvitova as her record in finals is fantastic. And Wozniacki is skipping Dubai, she is not in the main draw.
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That’s true! Although Muguruza has won her last 4, two being Slams (against Serena and Venus, no less)
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St. Pete win, Fed Cup win, Doha win, now on to Dubai playing in the first round plus travel, travel, travel……….at some point Kvitova, with no rest, is going to run out of energy.
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I think she should retire from Dubai and save her energy for Indian Wells next month. Wonderful result anyway; two titles and it’s still February 🙂
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Yes i’d tend to agree. We shall see…
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