Doha: Monica Puig Interview
An interview with Monica Puig after her quarterfinal win at the Qatar Total Open.
An interview with Monica Puig after her quarterfinal win at the Qatar Total Open.
An interview with Karolina Pliskova after her win in the quarterfinals of the Qatar Total Open.
Karolina Pliskova defeated Zhang Shuai in straight sets to set up a semifinal showdown with Dominika Cibulkova at the Qatar Total Open.
In today’s SAP Stat Of The Day, Daria Kasatkina adds another name to her growing list of big wins.
DOHA, Qatar – No.2 seed Karolina Pliskova survived double duty on Friday, winning her first match against No.3 seed Dominika Cibulkova, 6-4, 4-6, 6-3, to reach the final of the Qatar Total Open.
Pliskova had already made it through a quarterfinal encounter with Zhang Shuai between multiple rain delays, but an even bigger test loomed in the reigning BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore presented by SC Global champion, whom she’d never beaten in three previous encounters.
“I’m really excited, especially after what a long, tough day it’s been,” she said during her on-court interview. “Having two wins today is amazing, and I just beat Domi for the first time in my life. It was tough conditions, and so I don’t think it was the best tennis out there. But it’s a win, so it counts.”
.@KaPliskova levels the opening set vs Cibulkova 4-4! #Qatar_Total_Open pic.twitter.com/zlcuZGLdUL
— WTA (@WTA) February 17, 2017
The forecast favored the Slovak for most of the week, as she was the only of the four semifinalists to make it through on Thursday. That advantage appeared evident from the outset, but Pliskova soon found her rhythm, recovering from an early break to win the final four games of the opening set.
Undeterred, Cibulkova raced out to a 4-0 lead in the second and held on to level the match and take the momentum into the decider.
.@KaPliskova holds!
Dominika @Cibulkova will serve to send this into a 3rd set! #Qatar_Total_Open pic.twitter.com/h8ZDlrtxse
— WTA (@WTA) February 17, 2017
A tense finale followed as the pair traded confident service games until 3-3, when the World No.5 held two break points. With the help of a career-best serving day (21 in the match), Pliskova saved both in quick succession and, with the wind at her back, swept the conclusion after nearly two hours on court.
In all, Pliskova maintained impressive numbers from the back of the court, hitting 40 winners to just 16 unforced errors, and just one double fault in the face of those 21 aces.
.@KaPliskova reaches @QatarTennis Final!
Battles past Cibulkova 6-4, 4-6, 6-3! pic.twitter.com/WpKPTg21fP
— WTA (@WTA) February 17, 2017
“That definitely gave me more confidence,” she said of the crucial seventh game, adding, “and then getting on this side of the court, I got to play with the wind, so that helped, as well. I knew I had a chance to break her, and I did; I always believe I can break her, so I’m really excited to win the third set.”
Standing between Pliskova and a second title of 2017 is the winner of the second semifinal between former World No.1 Caroline Wozniacki and Olympic Gold medalist Monica Puig.
“Right now, I’m just really happy. I’m going to rest a little bit now, enjoy that I won two matches in one day – that doesn’t happen every day! Then I’ll get ready for the final.”
Welcome to the @QatarTennis Final @KaPliskova! pic.twitter.com/ELyL3yvHHK
— WTA (@WTA) February 17, 2017
Caroline Wozniacki has Thursday’s shot of the day at the Qatar Total Open.
DOHA, Qatar – Caroline Wozniacki won her second match of the day in emphatic style, overcoming Olympic Gold medalist Monica Puig, 6-1, 6-2, to reach the final of the Qatar Total Open.
“It sounds amazing, but also makes me feel a little old!” she said during her on-court interview, when reminded of her last appearance in the Doha final, back in 2011.
“It’s been a great week, really tough conditions with all the waiting, but I managed to keep focus and play some of my best tennis out there.”
Too good from @CaroWozniacki! ? #Qatar_Total_Open pic.twitter.com/WLxzClmCjN
— WTA (@WTA) February 17, 2017
The former World No.1 was the last of field to advance into the semifinals after finishing off Lauren Davis, 7-5, 6-1, while Puig kicked off play on Friday by defeating Daria Kasatkina in a one-set shootout.
Still rolling from her win over Davis, Wozniacki started the quicker of the two despite the late start, roaring out to a 5-1 lead in the first set and never looking back, hitting 12 winners to just four unforced errors and converting five of seven break point opportunities to advance after an hour and 10 minutes.
What a rally! ?
Defense to offense from @CaroWozniacki! ?? #Qatar_Total_Open pic.twitter.com/bzVehSiT0L
— WTA (@WTA) February 17, 2017
Up next for the two-time US Open finalist is Karolina Pliskova, the No.2 seed and last year’s runner-up in Flushing. Wozniacki’s never lost to the Czech powerhouse, but their last meeting came in 2014, before Pliskova became a Top 10 player.
“She’s playing really well, serving really well. It’s going to be a great final and I’m excited for it.”
.@CaroWozniacki bests Puig 6-1, 6-2!
Sets @QatarTennis Final vs @KaPliskova! pic.twitter.com/vyJIToTMoV
— WTA (@WTA) February 17, 2017
Standing between both of them would be the unpredictable forecast, which forced both of them into playing multiple matches on Friday. Wozniacki was cautiously optimistic of starting Saturday’s championship match on time.
“I don’t want to jinx anything, so let’s just hope there’ll be good weather. I’m just excited to be on the court, and if I have to wait a little bit, I’m used to it by now and I’m feeling good!”
Caroline Wozniacki takes on Agnieszka Radwanska in the second round of the Qatar Total Open.
Monica Puig advanced to her first semifinal since her historic gold medal run at Rio after coming from a set down to beat Russian teenager Daria Kasatkina.
Daria Kasatkina takes on Angelique Kerber in the second round of the Qatar Total Open.