Victoria Azarenka was going to be Garbiñe Muguruza's rival in the semifinals of the Qatar Open this Friday, but before the match the Belarusian announced her retirement due to injury, so the Spanish went to the final without having to play and this Saturday she will fight for the title against Petra Kvitova, as in 2018 also in Doha. On that occasion the Czech won, which returns to the last round after beating the American Pegula 6-4 by a double. Azarenka beat Elina Svitolina in the quarterfinals on Thursday and did it clearly (6-2 and 6-4), but during that match she was treated for some back discomfort that later worsened and finally did not allow her to face the fifth time Muguruza.
There is the curious circumstance that the rivalry between the two was marked in the past by injuries. Two of their four duels did not end due to the withdrawal of one of them. In 2019, Garbiñe won the Monterrey final due to the abandonment of Victoria in the second set, and months later, in the second round of Rome, it was the Spanish who could not continue in the second set. “Unfortunately, the pain in my back that I experienced during yesterday's match has not gone away enough for me to be able to compete tonight.”, Azarenka communicated, who has dragged these annoyances from the beginning of the course. In fact, he resigned from the Grampians Trophy final as a precaution before the Australian Open.
With an extra day of rest, which will not hurt him at all, Muguruza will seek his eighth title in the second final that he disputes in Doha. Three years ago he lost in the last round precisely against Kvitova, who will be his rival and that she has a favorable balance against the winner of two Grand Slams (4-1). A month ago he fell in the Yarra Valley Classic against Ashleigh Barty.
Day of rest
“It's not the classic way to reach a final, but being in it is a good sign. I hope she recovers.”Garbiñe pointed out, who made no secret that having “a day off” is “good” for his body, “something positive.” On the match against Kvitova, she said it will be “tough” but that she hopes to win and keep “the trophy”.
Table and results.