By Tennis Now | Thursday, February 15, 2018

 

Angelique Kerber won the final three games edging Johanna Konta, 1-6, 6-1, 6-3, to set up a Doha quarterfinal with world No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki.

Photo credit: Mark Peterson/Corleve

A coast-to-coast burst helped Angelique Kerber complete a riveting reversal.

Covering the court with vigor, Kerber won the final three games rallying past Johanna Konta, 1-6, 6-1, 6-3, into the Doha quarterfinals.

Watch: Irate Wozniacki Accuses Niculescu of Grunting Gamesmanship

"I think the first set I was not playing my tennis,” Kerber said. “I needed a little bit of time to find my rhythm from the second set on I was trying to find my game. It's always tough to play Johanna. She's a good player. I was just trying to go for it in the third set."


Photo credit: Mark Peterson/Corleve

The eighth-seeded German raised her record to 12-1 on the season setting up a blockbuster quarterfinal with world No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki, who defeated Monica Niculescu, 7-5, 6-1.

“It’s always tough to play against Caroline, she won her first Grand Slam this year,” Kerber said. “I will go out and try to play like I played the last few weeks, trying to play my game and try to enjoy the match. I think it will be a good match against Caroline.”

Today’s match with Konta was a rematch of the 2016 Australian Open semifinals, which Kerber won en route to her first major championship.

An interesting subtext to this match story is Wim Fissette, Kerber's new coach, coached Konta last season.

A sharp Konta came out firing, blasting a backhand winner crosscourt converting her fifth break point in snatching a 2-0 lead.

Staring down two break points, the athletic Briton showed sharp anticipation saving the second break point. Konta ladled a drop shot drawing Kerber forward and correctly covered the line angling off a stretch forehand volley to help her stand tall through stress in the third game.

Kerber double faulted away a second break falling into a 0-4 hole.

Ripping through her strokes freely, Konta crunched a backhand off the sideline then hit behind the German earning triple set point.

Squatting low, Kerber showed tremendous leg drive guarding the baseline repelling successive set points then fired a forehand return down the line to save the third set point.

Lifting her level in response, Konta cracked her first ace only to see Kerber deny a fourth set point.

On her sixth set point, Konta converted when Kerber stuck a forehand return into net. Striking cleanly, Konta hit 17 winners—seven more than her opponent—wrapping up a one-set lead after 37 minutes.

Resetting, Kerber started the second set striking with conviction. Curling a cross-court forehand pass, Kerber broke for 2-0.

Konta's coach, Michaeal Joyce, encouraged her to keep attacking and drive the ball down the middle when he came out for a visit after the third game.

Responding with a razor-sharp forehand crosscourt, Konta held for 1-3.

Driving the ball down the line with more authority, Kerber picked the right time to change direction and guarded the baseline with vigor. A clever Kerber lob gave her another break point. When Konta saile a shot beyond the baseline, Kerber broke for 5-1.

Kerber closed the set in style sliding an ace out wide wrapping up a 6-1 second set in 26 minutes.