Elise Mertens in press conference. #Qatar2019 Qatar Total Open

 “I was really happy the way I played this week, actually. I'm happy about the process that I made, starting out playing less well and then getting better every match.

“This is why you do it, to beat those top 10 players and getting the victory at the end.”

Down a set and a break to the reigning Roland Garros champion, Mertens summoned her best tennis to tire out her in-form opposition, spurred on by advice coach David Taylor gave during the match.

Elise Mertens in SFs of the 2019 Qatar Total Open

After dropping the first set in each of her previous two matches in Doha, Bertens seemed primed for another gutsy comeback win. But Mertens had other ideas, backing up a tough win over Kristyna Pliskova with a 6-4, 6-3 defeat of World No.8 Bertens.

Simona halep wins over goerges in Qatar 2019

 Halep saw a 4-0 lead come and go in the first set as Georges came back to force a tiebreak before having to recover from a break down herself in the second - but she found a way to close it out in straight sets, winning 7-6(3), 7-6(6).

Simona halep in press conference. #Qatar2019.

Karolina Pliskova has pulled out of the Qatar Total Open due to a viral illness

  Karolina Pliskova has pulled out of the Qatar Total Open due to a viral illness, the tournament has announced.

The Czech, who had a first-round bye this week, has been replaced in the singles draw by her twin sister, lucky loser Kristyna; the Pliskovas have been replaced in the doubles draw by alternates Ons Jabeur and Alison Riske.

Kiki bertens wins over giorgi in 2019 Qatar

 Kiki Bertens of the Netherlands executed a remarkable comeback win in the first round of the Qatar Total Open on Tuesday, maneuvering past Italy’s Camila Giorgi 0-6, 7-6(7), 6-4.

Caroline wozniacki in 2019 Doha

DOHA: Former world number one and 2018 Australian Open champion Caroline Wozniacki arrived on Thursday in Doha to participate in the Qatar Total Open 2019 to be held from February 11 to 16.

The Dane, a two-time finalist here (2011 and 2017), was met on arrival by top officials of the Qatar Tennis, Squash and Badminton Federation (QTSBF) as well as enthusiastic fans who trooped out in appreciable numbers to welcome the star player to Doha.

Petra kvitova in doha 2018. #Trophy

Petra kvitova conquer's of the qatar total open 2018

DOHA, Qatar
Petra Kvitova battled fatigue and a fresher opponent in No.3 seed Garbiñe Muguruza to recover from a set deficit for the third time this week, capturing the Qatar Total Open in a battling 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 thriller and extending her winning streak to 13 - the second-longest of her career.

Petra kvitova advances to final in qatar 2018

That streak came to an end against Kvitova’s relentless attacking as the Czech game back from a set and a break down to win 3-6, 7-6(3), 7-5.

After lifting the trophy in St. Petersburg and notching a pair of Fed Cup victories, Kvitova extends her own winning streak to 12 in a row, the second-best winning streak of her career. And, should she triumph in the championship match, the No.21-ranked Kvitova has a shot at return to the WTA’s Top 10.

Simona halep into SFs of the qatar total open 2018

DOHA, Qatar
After winning the first seven games, No.2 seed Simona Halep overcame stern resistance from American teenager CiCi Bellis to reach the last four at the Qatar Total Open, 6-0, 6-4.

Petra kvitova in semis of the qatar total open 2018

DOHA, Qatar
Petra Kvitova appeared on course to grab the final spot in the Qatar Total Open final four before Julia Goerges was forced to retire trailing, 6-4, 2-1

Caroline wozniacki advances to semis in doha 2018

DOHA, Qatar
Top seed Caroline Wozniacki defended her No.1 ranking with aplomb on Friday, fending off former WTA World No.1 Angelique Kerber, 7-6(4), 1-6, 6-3, to reach the semifinals of the Qatar Total Open

Caroline wozniacki advances to QF in doha 2018

DOHA, Qatar
Australian Open champion Caroline Wozniacki survived a topsy-turvy opening set to dismiss Monica Niculescu, 7-5, 6-1, reach the quarterfinals of the Qatar Total Open, and win round one of the battle for World No.1 this week against rival Simona Halep.

Cici bellis in QFs of the qatar total open 2018

DOHA, Qatar
American qualifier CiCi Bellis claimed the biggest win of her career after taking down defending champion Karolina Pliskova in straight sets to reach the quarterfinals at the Qatar Total Open.

Bellis read the Czech’s booming serve perfectly, breaking her five times en route to the 7-6(4), 6-3 victory in an hour and 37 minutes. Even more impressive, her victory over World No.5 Pliskova is Bellis' first Top 5 win of her career.

Caroline wozniacki win's over carina Witthoeft in Doha 2018

DOHA, Qatar 
Caroline Wozniacki dropped just two games in an impressive opening match against Carina Witthoeft at the Qatar Total Open.

The Australian Open champion put together a dominant performance and needed just 57 minutes to record the 6-2, 6-0 victory.

Karolina Pliskova advances into qatar total open 2018. Cornet out

DOHA, Qatar
 Defending champion Karolina Pliskova dug deep to dispatch French veteran Alizé Cornet, 6-2, 6-3, to extend her Qatar Total Open winning streak to five straight on Wednesday.

"I feel confident," Pliskova said during her on-court interview. "Even though I wasn't playing the last few days because I was sick, I was feeling good on the court today. I think it was a good start at the tournament for me. It's not an easy draw this year, so I'll try to take it step by step and play as many matches as I can."

Caroline garcia win's over dominika cibulkova in Qatar 2018

DOHA, Qatar
Caroline Garcia weathered a mid-match surge from Dominika Cibulkova to make her way into the third round at the Qatar Total Open.

The No.7 seed kept the pressure after dropping the second set to win 6-3, 6-7(3), 6-0 after just over two hours. The win earns her a matchup with either No.11 seed Kristina Mladenovic or Russian qualifier Anna Blinkova.

Qatar total open 2018, main draw singles

Agnieszka radwanska win's over Mona Barthel in Qatar 2018

DOHA, Qatar - Agnieszka Radwanska made it three three-set victories in a row over Mona Barthel to make a winning start to her Qatar Total Open campaign.

History repeated itself once again as Radwanska dropped the opening set against the tricky Barthel, but managed to turn it around in dramatic fashion and take her tenth match point for a 3-6, 6-3, 7-5 victory in just over two hours and 20 minutes.