Kvitova edges past Ostapenko into Quarter-Finals at Qatar Total Open, Barty and Kuznetsova also through after withdrawals

Kvitova, who is number eight seed in the tournament won 6-2, 4-6, 6-1 against the Latvian; with wind being a massive factor in the match which lasted two hours.

The Czech ace is into her fifth Quarter-Final at the Qatar Total Open though in only six visits; while she has also maintained a run that she has not lost to someone in the top 40 since the US Open.

She eased through the first set winning six consecutive games after falling 2-0 behind; but Ostapenko would have cast doubt in her mind after claiming the second set to force the decider.

Despite that it was Kvitova who took the final set convincingly to claim the victory and move through to a tie with Karolina Pliskova or Ons Jabeur.

Barty was set to face the very in-form Elena Rybakina but the Kazakh ace who played 12 matches in 15 days in reaching multiple finals and establishing herself as a real force has played too much and tweaked an injury allowing the World Number One a walkover.

“I’m really sorry but I have to w/d from Doha. I have a small strain in my leg & I don’t want to risk it getting worse. I will definitely be back next year, thank you for your support!”

Amanda Anisimova is also out of the tournament due to GI illness and this allows Svetlana Kuznetsova a walk-over also.

"I’m really upset to be withdrawing from Doha, I did everything I could to be ready to play but I’m really not feeling well. I hope I can come back stronger next year," said Anisimova.

As a result the Russian will take on either Belinda Bencic or Yulia Putintseva who face off in the Quarter-Finals shortly.

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