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[vector_icon icon=”fas fa-microphone”] Match Recap from Announcer Andy Taylor, Voice of the Qatar Total Open
Elise Mertens advances to the Semifinals
Welcome to Doha’s center court, Elise Mertens. Tonight, the Belgian earned her 4th career top-10 win, upsetting a 5-seed who’s struggled since landing at Hamad International.
Shaky against both Camila Giorgi and Carla Suarez Navarro, Kiki Bertens was forced to fight back from a set-down in both matches. Truthfully — she was fortunate to reach the Quarters, where Elise completely exploited Kiki’s uncertain service game.
For Elise Mertens, on the other hand, this has felt like a fateful week. She had little trouble with her first two opponents — avoided a clash with the World #5 Karolina Pliskova — and tonight, avenged her 2019 season opening loss.
Head to Head: 4th meeting between these two players
- 2019 Doha QF | Elise Mertens -21- (BEL) def [5] Kiki Bertens -08- (NED)| 64 63
- 2019 Brisbane R1 | [6] Kiki Bertens -09- (NED) def Elise Mertens -12- (BEL) | 62 67(6) 64
- 2017 New Haven R1 | [Q] Elise Mertens -46- (BEL) def Kiki Bertens -25- (NED) | 46 64 62
- 2017 Hobart QF | [Q] Elise Mertens -127- (BEL) def [1] Kiki Bertens -22- (NED) | 62 75
Mertens reaps the benefits of 2019’s extensive withdrawals
It’s been a kismet week for Elise, after a heartbreaking Fed Cup weekend at home in Liege. On Saturday, she fell in 2-sets to World #51 Alize Cornet – a match that should have been a lock. Then Sunday, Caroline Garcia crushed her in the Tie-clinching match. A disappointing weekend, to say the least.
However, thanks to Fed Cup – with players thrown far and wide across the planet – she arrived Monday in Doha to a decimated draw. Katerina Siniakova was her first target – a player who was orginally scheduled as a qualifier – but when Madison Keys withdrew last week, the Czech was lifted into the main draw.
After dispatching Siniakova in straight sets – her Round of 16 opponent, the #2-seed and 2017 Champion Karolina Pliskova, withdrew. Instead of the World #5, Mertens faced Lucky Loser and World #90 Kristyna Pliskova – earning the win in a second set tiebreak.
Mertens is the one remaining Semifinalist who’s benefitted most from this year’s overwhelming 23 withdrawals (8 main draw, 15 qualifying), and there are only top-10 opponents left. She gets the reigning Wimbledon Champion Angelique Kerber next. Should she win, it’s either Simona Halep or Elina Svitolina in the Final. Stay tuned.
Day-4. Updated Singles Draw
[/alert]Day-4. Updated Doubles Draw
[/alert]Elise Mertens -21- (BEL) | Quarterfinal Announcer Introduction
Last year, she started the season by capturing both the Singles and Doubles titles in Hobart, setting the stage for a tremendous 2018 that saw her climb from World #36 to World #12. She earned 3 Singles titles, 4 Doubles titles, reached 6 Doubles Finals, and made her career-best runs at all four Majors, including a Semifinal finish at the Australian Open. For the first time, she qualified for both year-end championships – reaching the WTA Finals in Doubles, the WTA Elite Trophy in Singles, and completed 2018 with career-high rankings in both disciplines. Now a 3-time top-10 slayer, last year she upset World #3 Sloane Stephens in Cincinnati and World #4 Elina Svitolina to reach her first Major Semifinal at the Australian Open. Competing in her 2nd Qatar Total Open – From Belgium, please welcome Elise Mertens.
- QF — W | [5] Kiki Bertens -08- (NED) | Score: 6-4, 6-3
- R2 — W | ^ [LL] Kristyna Pliskova -90- (CZE) | Score: 6-2, 7-6(3) | RECAP
- R1 — W | ** Katerina Siniakova -44- (CZE) | Score: 6-4, 6-2 | RECAP
^ Withdrawal: [2] Karolina Pliskova -05- (CZE)
** Withdrawal before tournament began: Madison Keys -17- (USA)
[5] Kiki Bertens -08- (NED) | Quarterfinal Announcer Introduction
The #5-seed in this year’s draw, she comes into Doha on the heels of winning her 8th WTA Singles title. 12 days ago, she lifted the trophy in St. Petersburg; and in just the past 10-months, has won 4 Singles titles in 5 Finals, and returns to Doha with a career-high ranking of World #8. She earned 12 top-10 victories last year alone, including a remarkable Premier-5 run in Cincinnati where she bested 4 top-10 players, like World #2 Caroline Wozniacki and World #1 Simona Halep in the championship match. By season’s end, she qualified for the WTA Finals for the first time, and reached the Semifinals in her debut. Competing in her 2nd Qatar Total Open – From the Netherlands, please welcome the #8 Player in the World, Kiki Bertens.
