Tennis News

ST. PETERSBURG, FL, USA – The WTA will launch a unique WTA Livestreaming subscription service in 2017 where tennis fans can view every WTA singles and many doubles semifinals and finals matches. That’s over 2000 WTA matches – everywhere the tour is playing around the world.

This is a breakthrough for women’s tennis.

We’re excited to create a new digital home where you will be able to follow your favorite players and share the thrills, suspense and fun moments on and off the court. WTA Livestreaming will be available to subscribers on smartphones, laptops and tablets soon. We regret there will be an unavoidable gap until we are able to bring this new service to you. We are working hard to bring this to you as fast as we can. Updated scheduling and subscription information will be provided on wtatennis.com as soon as possible.

Please stay tuned. We believe it’s worth the wait. Thank you for your patience and continued support of women’s tennis.

Click here to follow the tour on the wtatennis.com web site offering live results point by point, live press conferences at selected WTA events, live and exclusive off court and behind the scenes content, player-commented match and video highlights, and breaking news. Follow the tour in real-time on WTA social channels like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat.

Click here for information about where to watch the WTA on TV and digital channels today via your local broadcaster.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

Q: Why aren’t WTA matches livestreamed on TennisTV any longer?

A: We’re launching a new and exciting WTA livestream subscription service in 2017 dedicated to viewing women’s tennis both on and off court.

There will be an unavoidable gap before we can make this exciting service available to subscribers via smartphones, laptops and tablets. We regret any inconvenience this may cause.

Q: When will the new service be available?

A: We are working hard to bring this service to you as soon as we can. We appreciate your patience and we look forward to welcoming you as a new subscriber when we launch WTA Livestreaming.

Q: Where will I find out more information about this service?

A: Updated information will be available on wtatennis.com.

Q: How can I view WTA matches via livestream until then?

A: In the meantime, please find up to date “Where to Watch” live WTA matches on your local broadcaster’s TV and digital channels on the wtatennis.com/tv-schedule page.

We invite fans to follow the tour on the wtatennis.com web site which offers live results point by point, live press conferences at selected WTA events, live and exclusive off court and behind the scenes content, player-commented match and video highlights, and breaking news. Follow the tour in real-time on WTA social channels like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat.

Q: How much is it to subscribe?

A: Updated information will be provided on wtatennis.com closer to launch date.

Q: Why should I subscribe to the WTA Livestreaming service?

A: Fans will have access to every singles match live and many doubles semifinals and finals matches. For the first time ever, fans can pick and choose from over 2000 WTA matches and follow their favorite players behind the scenes like never before. Subscribers can follow the thrill and fun on and off court day in and day out all season long. This is new and it’s exciting.

DUBAI, UAE – Caroline Garcia booked the first spot into the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships semifinals after a dominant win against Andrea Petkovic, 6-3, 6-4.

Into her career first Premier-level semifinal, 22-year-old Garcia continued turning promise into achievements as she took on the No.28 Petkovic, who had defeated her in both of her previous encounters.

“It was very difficult conditions, very windy,” Garcia said afterwards. “It’s never easy to play in these conditions so you have to be focused.

“I played pretty aggressive today but you have to against [Petkovic] – she’s a big fighter.”

Garcia broke early in the opening set to go up 3-1, staying toe-to-toe with the big hitting German. Petkovic’s serve, which had been ailing all match long, misfired at the worst time, producing three double faults to give Garcia set points before sending a forehand long to hand the French player the first set.

Garcia once again broke serve and consolidated quickly to start the second set with a 2-0 lead, but this time Petkovic fired back to stop the bleeding, breaking back and holding to level it out at 2-2. Garcia, a regular feature in the doubles draw, was deadly at the net and with her forehand, closing out the match at 6-4.

Petkovic’s second gave her plenty of trouble – she hit 10 double faults during the match – and Garcia masterfully exploited the weakness.

“That’s one where I was looking to improve, to put the pressure on my opponent, especially on her second serve,” Garcia said after the match. “She did some double faults so I tried to put a bit more pressure for those free points.”

In the second quarterfinal of the afternoon, Sara Errani came back from a set to down to defeat the resurgent Madison Brengle, 4-6, 6-1, 6-4.

More to come…

KEY INFORMATION:
Tournament Level: Premier 5
Prize Money: $2,517,250
Draw Size: 56 main draw (8 byes)/32 qualifying
Qualifying Dates: Friday, February 19 – Saturday, February 20
First Day of Main Draw: Sunday, February 21
Singles Final: Saturday, February 27, NB 6.00pm AST
Doubles Final: Saturday, February 27, 3.30pm AST

MUST FOLLOW SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS:
@WTA
@WTA_Insider – WTA Insider, Senior Writer Courtney Nguyen
@QatarTennis – official tournament handle
Get involved in conversations with the official hashtags, #QatarTotalOpen and #WTA.

TOURNAMENT NOTES:
· Defending champion Lucie Safarova returns to action after missing the start of the season with a bacterial infection.
· The only other former winner in the draw is Simona Halep, who triumphed in 2014. Former finalists Svetlana Kuznetsova (2004, 2007), Caroline Wozniacki (2011) and Angelique Kerber (2014) have also made the trip to Qatar.
· Dubai finalists, Sara Errani and Barbora Strycova, have both entered Doha. The only players to have completed the Dubai-Doha double are Justine Henin (2007) and Martina Hingis (2001).
· For the complete draw click here.

WILDCARDS:
Eugenie Bouchard (CAN), Fatma Al Nabhani (OMA), Cagla Buyukakcay (TUR)

WITHDRAWALS:
Serena Williams (flu), Maria Sharapova (left forearm), Peng Shuai (right hand), Irina-Camelia Begu (right knee), Camila Giorgi (right knee), Alizé Cornet (low back), Mona Barthel (illness)

It’s another milestone week for the WTA with Serena Williams hitting 157 consecutive weeks at No.1, passing Martina Navratilova for the second-longest streak at No.1 in WTA history.

Williams’ streak began in 2013 after defeating Petra Kvitova in the quarterfinals of the Qatar Total Open; the American hadn’t been ranked No.1 in over two years after a foot injury and pulmonary embolism left her very career in question. Overcoming incredible adversity, a near-perfect 2012 season the the stage for the now-21-time Grand Slam champion to take back No.1 from Victoria Azarenka just over three years ago; she hasn’t reliquished the top spot since.

During this latest reign at No.1, Williams has won six major titles at all four Grand Slam tournaments – including two French and US Open titles – and remains one major victory away from tying Steffi Graff, who not only holds the Open Era record at 22 Grand Slam titles, but also has the longest streak for consecutive weeks at No.1 (186 weeks).