Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, UAE

[CR7] Tomas Berdych (CZE) vs. [CR33] Nick Kyrgios (AUS)

Berdych knew that he would have a battle on his hands against Kyrgios.  They played last week in Marseille and Kyrgios won in straight sets with a dominant performance in the second set. Today was not as easy a victory for Kyrgios, who struggled the entire match with back issues.  Despite the obvious impact on his mobility, Berdych failed to take advantage.  He was frazzled the whole match and tried to go for too much on his shots, which resulted in too many errors.  His recent loss to Kyrgios was still fresh in his memory; however, for the second consecutive match, he could not elevate his game to counter the power of Kyrgios.  Today’s 6-4, 6-4 victory sends Kyrgios to the semifinals to play Stan Wawrinka.

PETKOVIC STAYS PERFECT AGAINST MUGURUZA

Qatar Total Open, Doha

[CR5] Garbine Muguruza (ESP) vs. [CR27] Andrea Petkovic (GER)

Muguruza had lost both previous matches against Petkovic and was hoping for a different outcome this match. Both ankles and her left thigh were heavily taped, which hampered her mobility.  Petkovic applied the pressure fiercely and continuously in the first set and won it easily 6-1. Muguruza was very upset, perhaps frustrated by her recurrent battle with injuries; however, she forced herself to fight for the second set.  Although they traded breaks in the latter stages, she broke again to win the set and forced a third set. The third set was all Petkovic though; once she regained her composure,  she re-applied the pressure and kept at it until Muguruza cracked. Petkovic maintained her dominance over Muguruza with the 6-1, 5-7, 6-2 victory and advanced to the semifinals to play the teenage Latvian, Jelena Ostapenko.