McHale Makes It Through, Brengle Brushes Zheng Aside In Doha
Christina McHale and Madison Brengle are flying the flag for the USA in Doha, both through to the main draw of the Qatar Total Open.
Christina McHale and Madison Brengle are flying the flag for the USA in Doha, both through to the main draw of the Qatar Total Open.
Dominika Cibulkova’s journey back from last year’s Achilles surgery has been far from straightforward. However, over the past six months the Slovak has completed the rehabilitation with a sequence of results that have returned her to the Top 10.
In Katowice this March she returned to the winner’s circle, which she followed up by reaching a maiden Premier Mandatory final, in Madrid, and then further silverware, this time on the Eastbourne grass. Her latest run, to the final of last week’s Dongfeng Motor Wuhan Open took Cibulkova’s 2016 win tally now stands at 44 – a number only bettered by World No.1 Angelique Kerber.
Strangely, given her assured play all week, Cibulkova had never previously won a match in Wuhan. But roused by an engaged crowd, the 27-year-old reeled off five in six days to come within touching distance of her first Premier 5 title and break new ground in the rankings.
The brilliance of her final opponent, Petra Kvitova – whose revival took her up to No.11 – ensured there was no silverware at the end of the week, but she was unable to stop Cibulkova from reaching a career-high No.8.
And she is not the only player on the rise:
Svetlana Kuznetsova (+3, No.10 to No.7): Cibulkova’s semifinal victim Kuznetsova continued her resurgence to consolidate her Top 10 status and reach her loftiest perch since June 2010.
Louisa Chirico (+11, No.74 to No.63): Although Chirico was handily beaten by contemporary Daria Kasatkina in the Wuhan second round, by coming through qualifying she begins the week at her highest ranking to date.
Kristyna Pliskova (+34, No.100 to No.66): Last week’s other title winner, Pliskova, did it the hard way coming through an opening test against Sara Sorribes Tormo, then winning a rollercoaster final with Nao Hibino. This ended a wait to join sister Karolina as a WTA title winner and also brought a new career-high ranking.
DOHA, Qatar – The WTA’s biggest stars took a break from their hectic Doha preparations to glam up and step out for the Qatar Total Open’s official player gala earlier this week.
Angelique Kerber, Dominika Cibulkova, Agnieszka Radwanska and more WTA stars were among the stars of the big night – see all of the best photos and video right here on wtatennis.com!
Photos courtesy of Qatar Tennis Federation
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Caroline Wozniacki takes on Roberta Vinci in the second round of the China Open.
Caroline Wozniacki takes on Kiki Bertens in the first round of the Qatar Total Open.
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An interview with Madison Keys after her win in the third round of the China Open.
An interview with Daria Kasatkina after her victory in the second round of the Qatar Total Open.