Round of 16. Kerber def Kontaveit

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

Angelique Kerber advances to the Quarterfinals

Tonight, the reigning Wimbledon Champion overcame two kryptonites. First, since reaching the Doha Final in 2014, Kerber went 1-4 on this court. In 2015, she fell in the opening round to Wild Card Victoria Azarenka. A year later, she came-in as the Australian Open Champion, and fell to SaiSai Zheng. Daria Kasatkina took her out in 2017. Finally, last year, after a win over Jo Konta, she fell to Caroline Wozniacki.

To tough-out a victory in a 2nd-set tiebreak is a step in the right direction – but to do it over Annett Kontaveit? That’s an added bonus.

Two years ago, Annett dominated top-ranked Kerber in Rome. At the time, Kontaveit was a 68th ranked qualifier, and it was her first career victory over a World #1. Tough pill to swallow for Kerber – and part of the 2017 skid that saw her finish the season ranked outside the top-20.

We won’t even discuss the 39-minute, 8-game clash they had in Stuttgart last April. Kerber’s thigh was a complete mess, despite defeating Petra Kvitova in straight sets the day prior.

Head to Head: 3rd meeting between these two players

• 2019 Doha R2 | [3] Angelique Kerber -06- (GER) def Annett Kontaveit -20- (EST) | 61 76(3)
• 2018 Stuttgart R16 | Anett Kontaveit -31- (EST) def Angelique Kerber -12- (GER) | 60 20 RET
• 2017 Rome R1 | [Q] Anett Kontaveit -68- (EST) def [1] Angelique Kerber -01- (GER) | 64 60

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[3] Angelique Kerber -06- (GER) | Round-2 Announcer Introduction

The #3-seed at this year’s Qatar Total Open, she…is the reigning Wimbledon Champion. Back in July, she defeated Serena Williams to capture her 3rd Grand Slam Singles title and 12th Tour-level title overall. In 2016, she won her first Major at the Australian Open, captured Olympic Silver in Rio, won her 2nd Slam at the US Open, reached the championship match at the WTA Finals, finished the season as the year-end World #1, and has now held the sport’s top ranking for 34-weeks combined. A 28-time Finalist on Tour, she reached her 10th career Final on this court just 5-years-ago. Here in Doha for the 10th time, from Germany – Please welcome the World #6 and 2014 Qatar Total Open Finalist, Angelique Kerber.

• R2 — W | Anett Kontaveit -20- (EST) | Score: 6-1, 7-6(3)
• R1 — BYE

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Anett Kontaveit -20- (EST) | Round-2 Announcer Introduction

Competing in her 2nd Qatar Total Open, yesterday she defeated Qualifier Zhu Lin to reach the Round of 16 for the first time. Last month, she started the new season in Brisbane, and earned her 9th career win over a top-10 opponent, defeating World #7 Petra Kvitova to reach the Quarterfinals. She earned 5 top-10 wins last year, reached her biggest career Final in Wuhan, qualified for WTA Elite Trophy year-end championship, and by season’s end – cracked the WTA’s top-20 for the first time. Back in Doha after winning all three of her Fed Cup Singles matches over the weekend – From Estonia, please welcome the World #20, Annett Kontaveit.

• R2 — L | [3] Angelique Kerber -06- (GER) | Score: 1-6, 6-7(3)
• R1 — W | [Q] Lin Zhu -108- (CHN) | Score: 7-6(3), 6-3 | RECAP