In Doha quarters, Kerber survives net-charging onslaught from Strycova

DOHA—Barbora Strycova had played Angelique Kerber six times on hard courts prior to their meeting on Thursday match, and in those matches she won a grand total of zero sets. Strycova snapped that streak in stunning fashion, dropping just one game to open their Qatar Total Open quarterfinal. But while things looked dire for the sixth-ranked German early on, she pulled herself together by the end to advance, 1-6, 6-2, 7-6 (4), and extend her sizable winning streak over the Czech.

"You never know what to expect, if she is playing serve and volley or just moving, playing fast," Kerber said. "But you have to be ready for every single moment and playing every single point, because every single point is different, especially against her."

Strycova is generously listed by the WTA as 5'5" and needed a makeshift booster seat for her legs to fit comfortably on the courtside bench. Undeterred by her lack of size, she charged the net any chance she had, even if it was against a slightly shallower Kerber groundstroke.

The strategy worked, for the most part, and she threw in some bold serve-and-volley forays for good measure. There was no better tactic to employ, as the world No. 49 couldn't match—let alone top—Kerber's consistency off the ground.

Strycova's aggressive net game makes sense if you consider her stellar doubles career. She is ranked No. 5 in the world with 23 titles to her name; she's won just two singles titles. Kerber's singles record, on the other hand, speaks for itself, as two of her three Grand Slams have come on hard courts.

While Strycova has the flashier game and louder personality—she got into an argument over a time violation, a ball person and her towel—Kerber's consistency and patience paid off today. As she often has to, she overcame a lower-ranked player bringing her absolute best, and going for broke, albeit in an innovative manner.

"Sometimes it's of course easier because you have nothing to lose and you're going out there, you know you have to play your best tennis, and you're enjoying the match and you just try to beat the top player," Kerber said. "So I know the feeling, as well."

Making her tenth appearance at the Qatar Total Open, the 31-year-old is still seeking her first Doha title. She plays the winner of Kiki Bertens and Elise Mertens for a spot in the final.

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