That’s a wrap for the 2021 Qatar Total Open. Saturday’s final between Petra Kvitova and Garbiñe Muguruza was a quick one as Petra won, 6-2 6-1 in just 66 minutes. This post ties a neat bow on Doha. Next week, the tour moves to Dubai for the first WTA 1000 event of the season. There have been quite a few withdrawals. Still an interesting draw including one quarter with Sabalenka, Swiatek and Muguruza!
Final result 🏆
Saturday was a case of déjà vu as Kvitova and Muguruza reprised their Doha final of 2018. This was the first time the pair had played since that brilliant match which ranked at number five in my Best Matches of 2018. Just like their 2018 clash, it was another blustery day in Doha. Just like their 2018 clash, Kvitova won. Sadly the similarities ended there in terms of the contest as it didn’t live up to the billing.
I felt like the wind was a factor. Kvitova had arguably played in windier conditions in her semi-final against Pegula and had a chance to adjust to these conditions, while Muguruza didn’t following her semi-final walkover. The difference in the first set was Muguruza’s errors, many off the backhand wing and just long. Muguruza secured the early break in the second set. The change in momentum was shortlived though as Muguruza gifted the break back to Kvitova with a pair of double faults. In the next game, Kvitova saved two break points as she managed to outlast Muguruza in some lengthy rallies. These were important points, as Petra’s pojd squawks confirmed! Kvitova didn’t drop another game…
This is Kvitova’s 2nd Doha title, 28th overall and first since Stuttgart 2019. Kvitova improves her H2H record to 5-1 against Muguruza. Nothing surprised me about this run for Petra and yay she was my champ in Draw Challenge! Until the day she retires, I will never not be convinced that Petra is capable of going on these tears without any warning. Muguruza is still just coming up short in finals and she’s now lost her last three. As I said in the week, I think it will all fall into place at some point this year. Even with this final result, it’s another very encouraging week for the Spaniard.
Best point 🎾
Petra defence 👏 .
H&H 🤗
A nice moment at the net! Muguruza seemed quite jolly in the post-match proceedings.
Memories 🤔
Any tournament where Petra is the champ is a memorable one by me! Other than Petra winning the whole caboodle, it was a pretty underwhelming week. Muguruza-Sabalenka was the first three setter of the main draw and my favourite match of the week. I also enjoyed watching Pegula continue to thrive. Hoping for a few more highlights in Dubai!
Moo's Tennis Blog 