DOHA, February 24, 2016

Third seed Agnieszka Radwanska headlined third round action at the Qatar Total Open when she defeated Monica Niculescu 7-5, 6-1. The 26-year-old from Poland converted six of her 14 break point chances to prevail in one hour and 42 minutes.

“I think she has the best hands on tour, very tricky player and very uncomfortable to play against,” Radwanska said of her opponent during her on-court interview. “I knew it was going to be tough and a long one. What can I say? She really made me play my best tennis, so I’m very happy to win that match in two sets,” Radwanska told, taking on ninth favourite Roberta Vinci next, who took out Cagla Buyukakcay 7-5, 6-1.

The tournament’s number four Garbine Murguruza beat Timea Babos 6-2, 7-5, hitting 10 aces and winning 74% of her first service points to seal victory in one hour and 35 minutes. The 22-year-old from Spain faces Andrea Petkovic in the quarterfinals. The German ousted Coco Vanderweghe, winning 6-3, 6-4 in one hour and 33 minutes.

Jelena Ostapenko (photo: QTF)

Fifth seed Petra Kvitova fell to Jelena Ostapenko 7-5, 2-6, 1-6. The only 18-year-old from Latvia saved four of the eight break points she faced, converting eight of her own to advance in one hour and 56 minues. Ostapenko will play Sasia Zheng next.

The world number 72 from China, who knocked out top-seed Angelique Kerber on Tuesday, continued her successful run in the desert, winning 7-6, 6-1 over Canadian wild card Eugenie Bouchard. The match lasted one hour and 35 minutes.