Round of 16. Halep def Tsurenko

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[vector_icon icon=”fas fa-microphone”] Match Recap from Announcer Andy Taylor, Voice of the Qatar Total Open

Simona Halep advances to the Quarterfinals

Life is good for World #3 and reigning Roland Garros Champion Simona Halep. Over the weekend, she was instrumental in her country’s historic win over Fed Cup powerhouse the Czech Republic. For the first time since 1973, the Romanians will compete in the Fed Cup World Group Semifinals.

Additionally, as Doha’s top-seed, she completely avoided all of this year’s withdrawal and weather-related scheduling-challenges. Thanks to her 1st-Round Bye, she didn’t take the court until after 2019’s main draw carnage was scraped clean from the sidewalk.

Earlier today, the #2-seed Karolina Pliskova became the tournament’s 5th main draw withdrawal since Saturday, and 8th overall. 15 Qualifiers also withdrew from the Qatar Total Open. After 23 total drop-outs, Halep’s odds of winning the 2019 Qatar Total Open continued to spike without her even stepping foot on the court.

Even better – she’s healthy. Last year, a toe-injury forced her to bail after a Quarterfinal win over Cici Bellis. In 2014, she won her first Premier-5 title on this court. With so much in her favor, she’s poised to reunite with Doha’s famous falcon come Saturday.

Head to Head: 6th meeting between these two players

• 2019 Doha R2 | [1] Simona Halep -03- (ROU) def Lesia Tsurenko -24- (UKR) | 62 63
• 2018 Cincinnati QF | [1] Simona Halep -01- (ROU) def Lesia Tsurenko -44- (UKR) | 64 61
• 2014 Wimbledon R2 | [3] Simona Halep -03- (ROU) def Lesia Tsurenko -170- (UKR) | 63 46 64
• 2013 s-Hertogenbosch QF | Simona Halep -45- (ROU) def Lesia Tsurenko -78- (UKR) | 63 61
• 2012 Linz R1 | Simona Halep -46- (ROU) def Lesia Tsurenko -102- (UKR) | 30 RET
• 2009 Opole (ITF) R16 | [4] Simona Halep -197- (ROU) def Lesia Tsurenko -268- (UKR) | 64 75

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[1] Simona Halep -03- (ROU) | Round-2 Announcer Introduction

Over the weekend, she and her Fed Cup Teammates…made history. Taking on 11-time Fed Cup Champions, the Czech Republic in Ostrava – she won both of her singles matches – including a win over World #5 Karolina Pliskova – and helped lift Romania to the Fed Cup World Group Semifinals for the first time since 1973. She is the reigning French Open Champion, is a 4-time Grand Slam Finalist, owns 18 WTA Singles titles, and has held the World #1 ranking for a remarkable 64-weeks. Five-years-ago on this court, she came into Doha as the World #10 and defeated 3 fellow top-10 opponents to capture the title. Back in Doha for the 6th time – From Romania, please welcome 2014 Qatar Total Open Champion and the #3 Player in the World, Simona Halep.

• R2 — W | Lesia Tsurenko -24- (UKR) | Score: 6-2, 6-3
• R1 — BYE

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Lesia Tsurenko -24- (UKR) | Round-2 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.

• R2 — L | [1] Simona Halep -03- (ROU) | Score: 2-6, 3-6
• R1 — W | [LL] Lara Arrubarrena -94- (ESP) | Score: 6-3, 6-0 | RECAP