After Withdrawals, Kvitova, Pliskova, Brady Lead Doha Field
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The WTA revs back up in full force this week with a 500 stop in Doha. But the field lost several big names due to withdrawals including former Grand Slam champions Ash Barty, Simona Halep, Bianca Andreescu and Sofia Kenin.
That leaves Elina Svitolina, Karolina Pliskova, Aryna Sabalenka and Petra Kvitova as the top 4 seeds (and lone Top 10 players) in the 28-woman field.
Recent Slam finalists Jennifer Brady and Victoria Azarenka are also in the draw along with former Slam winners Svetlana Kuznetsova, Jelena Ostapenko, Garbine Muguruza and Angelique Kerber.
Making their 2021 debuts are Amanda Anismova, Madison Keys and Kiki Bertens who returns from an achilles injury.
The quarterfinals shape up like this in draw order:
Svitolina-Azarenka
Sabalenka-Bencic
Brady-Kvitova
Bertens-Pliskova
The returning Bertens will battle Ostapenko in her opener. Brady collides with Anett Kontaveit, Keys drew Bencic and Azarenka faces Kuznetsova.
Last year, Sabalenka beat Kvitova in the final just before the pandemic hit. Sabalenka enters this year hot having won 18 of her last 20 matches.
Over $68K is up for grabs.
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