Doha: Karolina Pliskova Interview
An interview with Karolina Pliskova before her opening round match at the Qatar Total Open.
An interview with Karolina Pliskova before her opening round match at the Qatar Total Open.
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
An interview with Caroline Wozniacki on her season thus far at the Qatar Total Open.
DOHA, Qatar – Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova was the only winner on Tuesday at the Qatar Total Open, moving through a rainy Valentine’s Day to dispatch former World No.1 Jelena Jankovic, 6-1, 6-4, and advance into the second round.
“It was quite a long day, but I’ll take it,” she said after the match. “I’m happy to be one of the first ones done today, and it’s a nice present for myself, as well.”
Pavlyuchenkova came in hot after a run to the Australian Open quarterfinals, completing a career set of last eight appearances at major tournaments. But stormy weather threatened to cool off the big-hitting Russian, who was set to open play against Jankovic, one of the most dangerous qualifiers in recent memory.
“I haven’t such a good start to a season before, but it’s exciting, and I’m just trying to take it tournament by tournament.”
Court floor being dried in order to resume the matches of the @WTA #Qatar_Total_Open! Keep following us for more updates! pic.twitter.com/IEGFVI5wIe
— Qatar Tennis Fed. (@QatarTennis) February 14, 2017
Jankovic had to battle through three rounds of qualifying for the first time since 2004 (Filderstadt), but after a year full of injuries, the 2008 US Open finalist discussed the need for more matches to help ease her back into competitive play.
“I’m feeling good but I need to get my game up there and of course my confidence and just being comfortable in the matches, being in those situations all over again, match in, match out, day in, day out, compete and fight and find my way,” she said on Monday.
Even with multiple rain delays, the Serb ultimately had few answers against Pavlyuchenkova, who hit 23 winners to just 14 unforced errors while Jankovic went 0/5 on break point opportunities.
.@NastiaPav has come out swinging after the rain delay! @QatarTennis pic.twitter.com/f7suGTINVJ
— WTA (@WTA) February 14, 2017
“I didn’t do much,” Pavlyuchenkova said of how she spent the time between play. “I was just talking with my coach, and some players as well. But I tried not to expend too much energy so I could keep as much as I could for the court. I don’t know how i managed, so I’m happy to finish this match.
“I guess I was calm,” she continued later on in a post-match interview, “and that’s the main thing, to accept the weather conditions. We were both in the same position, waiting for play to resume. I just tried to do my best.
“I haven’t done so well in the past at this tournament. I’ll try to go as far as I can and hopefully I can show some good tennis and have a great result.”
The Valentine’s Day victory reminded her of another from a few years ago at the Abierto Monterrey Afirme, where she fielded a proposal from an excited fan.
“I’d won a quarterfinal match in Monterrey, and he got on one knee with a ring. That was the last thing I expected, but it’s nice.
“At least somebody wants to marry me!”
Up next for the Russian is No.3 seed and reigning BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore presented by SC Global champion Dominika Cibulkova.
.@NastiaPav edges Jankovic 6-1, 6-4!
Meets @Cibulkova in @QatarTennis Second round! pic.twitter.com/CK4wbLJFTP
— WTA (@WTA) February 14, 2017
Caroline Wozniacki discusses her experience attending Super Bown LI at the Qatar Total Open.
Dozens of WTA stars have been spreading the love on Twitter today – whether it’s for Valentine’s Day or Taco Tuesday. Check out some of their best tweets here!
Watch as Caroline Wozniacki takes us through a Qatari tea ceremony and shares her favorite tea sweets!
The World Group II play-off draw has thrown out a potential heavyweight clash between Johanna Konta and Simona Halep, after Great Britain was drawn against Romania in the Federation Cup play-offs. The matches will be played in Romania on 22-23 April.
Britain kept alive its hopes of reaching the World Group stage for the first time since 1993 in dramatic fashion. Konta and team-mate Heather Watson won their doubles match against Croatia’s Ana Konjuh and Darija Jurak in Tallinn on Saturday, after the 19-year-old Konjuh had stunned the WTA World No.10 in their singles rubber, 6-4 6-3.
Aegon GB @FedCup Team will face Romania away in the World Group II Play-Offs! #BackTheBrits pic.twitter.com/3RIcEH7E3C
— British Tennis (@BritishTennis) February 14, 2017
Romania is arguably the toughest draw available however, with WTA World No.4 Halep in the team. The 25-year-old missed her team’s surprise defeat to Belgium in their World Group II opener but will prove a formidable challenge when she returns.
Serbia, who came through alongside Britain, have drawn Australia while Chinese Taipei will host Italy and Kazakhstan travel to Canada.
In the World Group play-offs draw, Dominika Cibulkova and her Slovakia team will host Netherlands. 2016 finalist France will face Spain in the first meeting between the teams for six years. Russia will meet Belgium – the latter goes into the play-offs on the back of six consecutive Fed Cup tie wins. Elsewhere Germany will play at home to Ukraine.
The full draw is as follows:>
World Group play-offs
France v Spain
Russia v Belgium
Germany v Ukraine
Slovakia v The Netherlands
World Group II play-offs
Chinese Taipei v Italy
Romania v Great Britain
Serbia v Australia
Canada v Kazakhstan
Anastasija Sevastova had Monday’s shot of the day at 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.