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[vector_icon icon=”fas fa-microphone”] Match Recap from Announcer Andy Taylor, Voice of the Qatar Total Open
Surprise Round-1 Opponent for Lesia Tsurenko
Just 20-minutes before today’s match, Lesia Tsurenko learned she’d be facing a different opponent. Last night and this morning, Lesia prepared for Caroline Garcia – who she faced once before in Round-1 of the 2016 French Open. The clash on clay was close, with thin margins. Physically and mentally, Tsurenko strategically prepared to avenge the loss.
However, Caroline Garcia was a late arrival in Doha. In fact, her flight landed this morning. Over the weekend, she was the backbone for the French Fed Cup Team. Caroline won both of her Singles Rubbers over Belgium and clinched France’s spot in the World Group Semifinals. With aching quadriceps, she took the practice court shortly after arriving. 30-minutes later, she withdrew from the tournament.
Garcia’s withdrawal opened-up a fourth Lucky Loser position in the draw, which should have gone to Liudmila Samsonova. However, Samsonova already made travel arrangements after yesterday’s loss in the Final Round of Qualifying. So, Liudmila’s opponent in the 2nd-Round of Qualifying stepped-in: Lara Arruabarrena.
Lesia Tsurenko advances to the Round of 16
All credit to Tsurenko. Despite facing an entirely different opponent – on nearly every level – Lesia rose to the challenge and blasted through Arruabarrena. With only 20-minutes to prepare, there was little time to remember their previous battle last March in Indian Wells, where Lara earned the upset in a deciding set.
Head to Head: Fifth meeting between these two players
- 2019 Doha R1 | Lesia Tsurenko -24- (UKR) def [LL] Lara Arrubarrena -94- (ESP) | 63 60
- 2018 Indian Wells R1 | Lara Arruabarrena -80- (ESP) def Lesia Tsurenko -40- (UKR) | 36 63 64
- 2017 Stanford R1 | Lesia Tsurenko -32- (UKR) def Lara Arruabarrena -64- (ESP) | 63 63
- 2015 Toronto QR2 | Lesia Tsurenko -54- (UKR) def Lara Arruabarrena -72- (ESP) | 61 64
- 2013 Wimbledon R1 | Lesia Tsurenko -69- (UKR) def Lara Arruabarrena -80- (ESP) | 61 63
Day-2. Updated Singles Draw
[/alert]Day-2. Updated Doubles Draw
[/alert]Lesia Tsurenko -24- (UKR) | Round-1 Announcer Introduction
During week-1 of the new season in Brisbane, she defeated World #5 and US Open Champion Naomi Osaka to reach her 5th career WTA Singles Final, and comes into this year’s Qatar Total Open with a career-high ranking of World #24. Last year, she captured her 4th WTA Singles title in Acapulco – and at Roland Garros, earned her second career Round of 16 run at a Major. Over the Summer, she was on fire – reaching the Quarters in Birmingham and Cincinnati; then at the US Open, she earned the biggest top-10 win of her career, taking-out 2-time US Open Finalist and World #2 Caroline Wozniacki en-route to her first Grand Slam Quarterfinal. Competing in her 4th Qatar Total Open – From Ukraine, please welcome Lesia Tsurenko.
- R1 — W | [LL] Lara Arrubarrena -94- (ESP) | Score: 6-3, 6-0
[LL] Lara Arrubarrena -94- (ESP) | Round-1 Announcer Introduction
Here in Doha for the first time, she owns 2 WTA Singles titles, 12 ITF Women’s Circuit Singles titles and has been ranked as high as World #52. Defeated in the 2nd-Round of Qualifying on Sunday, she and partner Kaitlyn Christian are scheduled to play their 1st-Round Doubles match later today. But – just 20-minutes ago – she accepted a Lucky Loser position in this year’s main draw after Caroline Garcia withdrew due to injury. From Spain, making her Qatar Total Open main draw debut, please welcome Lara Arrubarrena.
