Nadal sails into quarters; Pliskova knocked out by Tunisia’s Jabeur

Tunisian Ons Jabeur dumped world number three Karolina Pliskova out of the WTA event in Doha on Wednesday to reach the quarter-finals, while top-ranked Ashleigh Barty received a walkover.

Australian Open quarter-finalist Jabeur came through a tight match against Pliskova, winning 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 to set up a last-eight tie against Petra Kvitova on Thursday.

Jabeur, who became the first Arab woman to reach a Grand Slam quarter-final in Melbourne, was broken when leading 4-2 in the deciding set, but hit back immediately before claiming her first win over a top-10 player since 2018.

The 25-year-old managed to see out the win despite appearing to struggle with a hamstring injury in the closing games.

“I had a sharp pain on my hamstring, right hamstring, when I was going for the forehand at 4-2 my serve,” Jabeur told wtatennis.com.

“I didn’t really want to call the physio, so people would not think that I’m doing it on purpose, and plus I didn’t want to break the rhythm I was trying to maintain.” Earlier on Wednesday, two-time Wimbledon winner Kvitova had battled past former Roland Garros champion Jelena Ostapenko 6-2, 5-7, 6-1.

“I mean Petra is Petra. She plays unbelievable and she’s a tough player,” added Jabeur.

“Hopefully, my hamstring will be better. I’m going to do my best tonight to recover and honestly I think it’s going to be a great match.” Czech left-hander Kvitova, 11th in the world rankings, has not lost to a player ranked outside the top 40 since last year’s US Open, but said she struggled in windy conditions.

“There’s no chance to have tactics in this wind,” she said.

“The wind changes everything. I tried to stay there, to be patient, but sometimes it’s a little difficult.” Barty had been expecting a tough last-16 encounter against in-form Kazakh Elena Rybakina, who has reached four WTA finals already this season.

But the world number 17 withdrew from the tournament through injury.

Australia’s Barty will play Garbine Muguruza for a semi-final spot after the Australian Open runner-up saw off Ukrainian youngster Dayana Yastremska 6-2, 6-4.

Swiss fourth seed Belinda Bencic cruised past Yulia Putintseva 6-4, 6-3 and will face Svetlana Kuznetsova in the quarters after the Russian veteran was also the beneficiary of a walkover as American teenager Amanda Anisimova pulled out of the event.

Elsewhere, Belarusian ninth seed Aryna Sabalenka thrashed Maria Sakkari 6-3, 6-0 to set up a tie with China’s Zheng Saisai, who knocked out seventh-seeded Dutchwoman Kiki Bertens.

Meanwhile, World number two Rafael Nadal stepped up his bid for a third ATP Mexico Open title with an impressive display of serving and shotmaking to beat Serbian youngster Miomir Kecmanovic on Wednesday.

The Spaniard hit 20 winners as he kept his hopes alive of regaining the top ranking with a 6-2, 7-5 victory over the 20-year-old Kecmanovic to reach the quarter-finals at the Acapulco hardcourt tournament.

“He’s a very dangerous player. Young, with a lot of power. I’m very pleased with the victory,” Nadal said.

“I played a very good first set and that’s important for me. That gives me confidence.” Next up for Nadal is Kwon Soon-woo, who reached his fourth quarter-final of the month with a 7-6 (7/2), 6-0 upset against eighth-seeded Dusan Lajovic.

Agence France-Presse