World No.2 Angelique Kerber has once again fallen victim to Daria Kasatkina after crashing out 6-4, 0-6, 6-4, in the second round of the Qatar Total Open in Doha.
The encounter between the two players was a tale of two halves with both displaying some of their best and worst tennis. During the opening set, both players experienced tough tests in their service games. US Open champion Kerber failed to convert three break points in the second game of the match before dropping her serve in the third. That costly break enabled 19-year-old Kasatkina to clinch the first set as she utilized her aggressive play to her advantage.
Kerber, who also lost to Kasatkina at the Sydney International last month, managed to regain some belief in her game with a dominant second set performance. Hitting 17 winners, it was the German’s turn to be the aggressor in the match as she required just 29 minutes to force the clash into the decider.
Despite the bagel set, Kerber’s tentative performance on the court played into the advantage of the 19-year-old. A powerful Kasatkina forehand winner awarded her a break point chance at the start of the third set, which she converted with the help of an error from her opponent. Once again, it was the Russian teenager in control of the proceedings as she strolled to a double break with the help of some more Kerber errors.
The top seed managed to temporary halt Kaskatkina’s momentum as she retrieved one of the breaks with a backhand hand winner down the line during a three-game winning streak. Still, it wasn’t enough to down one of the most promising rising stars on the women’s tour. Serving for her second win over the world No.2 in as many months, Kasatkina secured the victory when a shot from her rival landed out.
“It was a difficult day because of the rain delay.” Kasatkina said during her on-court interview. “I’m happy that I went through this (match) and I am in the quarter-finals.”
This stats looks nice, but it is not really accurate pic.twitter.com/YN83x5nzXn
— Dmitry Shakhov (@Shahovez) 16 February 2017
Reflecting on her second set hammering by Kerber, the Russian admitted that a bathroom break aided her recovery.
“It’s difficult to explain because I went to the toilet and I just looked into the mirror in the toilet and said a few words to myself.” She said about her resurgence in the match.
Due to the adverse weather conditions causing havoc in Doha this week, Kasatkina will play her quarter-final match later today against Monica Puig.
Meanwhile, Kerber will go back to the drawing board and reflect upon her latest loss. The German has now failed to reach the last eight at three consecutive tournaments and has only won four matches this season.
Elsewhere in Doha, world No.3 Karolina Pliskova fired 12 aces during her 7-5, 6-4, win over France’s Caroline Garcia. The highest seed left in the draw will play China’s Zhang Shuai in the next round, who stunned Garbine Muguruza on Wednesday.
Other early winners in Doha include qualifier Lauren Davis, who required just under two hours to see off Elena Vesnina 7-5, 6-2. Finally, Sam Stosur battled past Barbora Strycova 6-3, 3-6, 6-4.
