FOR the second time in four years, Petra Kvitova has defeated Garbine Muguruza to win the 2021 Qatar Total Open title. Her 28th overall career title, the Czech was far too strong, dominating 6-2 6-1 in 61 minutes to back up her 2018 title – and win over Muguruza – with a remarkable victory here. Her efforts at Doha are nothing short of phenomenal considering she also won the title here in 2020 before going down to Aryna Sabalenka in the final.

“It’s been a great run in Doha, for sure,” Kvitova said post-match. “It’s been a great whole week. I just feel like home a little bit. I love the court, I love everything, and the people are really friendly as well.”

Unlike her 2018 triumph, Kvitova did not need three sets and two hours and 16 minutes to dispose of the Spanish Grand Slam winner, stepping up to play some unbelievable shots throughout the match. The left hander did not serve and aces, but won 63.9 and 61.1 per cent of her points off her first and second serve, but also dominated upon return with a 54.5 and 66.7 per cent success rate from Muguruza’s first and second serve point. Both players had amble break point opportunities, with Kvitova breaking five times from nine chances – only allowing Muguruza to hold twice – while the Spaniard broke only once from seven chances.

“Today I think Petra played very well from the baseline, and it was hard to try to make her move, or try to do much,” Muguruza said. “It was very windy, as well. I mean, it really wasn’t my day, I guess.”

Both players now head to Dubai for the massive WTA1000 event. Fourth seed Petra Kvitova has automatic entry into the second round, with a Round of 32 clash against either Lyon Open semi-finalist Spaniard Paula Badosa or Swiss talent Jil Teichmann on the cards. For Muguruza, the ninth seed at the event, she faces a qualifier before a likely second round showdown with young American Amanda Anisimova who also faces a qualifier in the Round of 64.

QATAR TOTAL OPEN FINAL RESULT:

[4] Petra Kvitova (CZE) defeated Garbine Muguruza (ESP) 6-2 6-1

For the first time in four years, two qualifiers will contest a WTA Tour final following upset wins for Switzerland’s Victorija Golubic and Denmark’s Clara Tauson in the semi-finals overnight. Golubic came from a set down to put away home nation hero and second seed Fiona Ferro 4-6 6-0 7-6, while the teenage Tauson knocked off seventh seed Spaniard Badosa in straight sets, 7-5 6-1.

The Tauson victory was a remarkable one, with the 18-year-old playing in just her third main draw event on the WTA Tour. Such has been the rise of both her and Golubic, that the pair actually faced off in a ITF W25 final back in January, where she defeated the Swiss talent 6-0 4-6 6-3 in Fujairah. Their form in 2021 is undeniable, with Golubic standing at 19-3 – having won the week after Fujairah in Grenoble – while Tauson is at 18-3.

The Danish teenager needed just 90 minutes to dismiss Badosa, serving four aces and winning 81.3 per cent of her first serve points, and 50 per cent of her second serve points, while the Spaniard sat at 55.3 and 39.4 per cent respectively. The seventh seed bravely defended all game as Tauson created 17 break point opportunities, but could only convert five, while Badosa broke twice from five chances.

Golubic had a much tougher match out against Ferro, needing two hours and 26 minutes and a deciding third set tiebreaker to make the final. After dropping the first set 6-4, Golubic powered to a dominant 6-0 second set, but the players went toe-for-toe in the decider, forcing a tiebreaker the the Swiss talent was able to win 7-4. Golubic came into the tournament ranked 129th in the world, and Tauson 139th, with the former now up to 101st, and the latter moving up to 107th. The winner of today’s final will enter the Top 100.

LYON OPEN SEMI-FINALS RESULTS:

[Q] Victorija Golubic (SUI) defeated [2] Fiona Ferro (FRA) 4-6 6-0 7-6
[Q] Clara Tauson (DEN) defeated [7] Paula Badosa (ESP) 7-5 6-1

Picture credit: Jimmie48/WTA