Angelique Kerber carried her fine form into the Qatar Open by upsetting Sabine Lisicki.
In-form German beats compatriot for fourth time in succession
Angelique Kerber carried her impressive form into the WTA Qatar Open by upsetting ninth-seed Sabine Lisicki in the first round on Tuesday.
The 4-6 6-4 6-1 victory was the fourth time in as many matches that Kerber had got the better of her German compatriot, who is ranked 14th in the world and considered as one of the rising stars of the game.
"She is a great player who is also a good friend, so it's not easy playing against her," Kerber, who won the Paris Indoors last week, said after her victory.
"We travel together and live in the same hotels, but I was focused on my game," Kerber added.
Kerber, ranked No.22 in the world, reached at least the semi-finals in six of the past 10 tournaments she played before winning her first WTA title in Paris.
"I am really playing well, but this is a big tournament with many stars playing, but I will really try my best," she added.
Hantuchova out
Lisicki was joined on the plane home by 15th seed Daniela Hantuchova, who crashed 3-6 6-3 7-6 to Simona Halep of Romania.
Halep's serve in the third-set tiebreaker proved instrumental in knocking out last week's Pattaya Open champion.
"I stayed calm and relaxed in the third set. Basically I tried to put the ball onto the court," Halep said.
"I fought really well against a great player. It was a very difficult match for me because I had pain in my leg. It was important for me to win today for my confidence."
Halep will next meet Iveta Benesova of the Czech Republic, who beat compatriot Barbora Zahlavova Strycova 4-6 6-3 6-1.
The top eight players in the field have been given first round byes and will see kick off their title challenges on Wednesday.
