Angelique Kerber crashes out of Qatar Open

by Agence France-Presse

World number two Angelique Kerber finally got to play her first match at the rain-affected Qatar Open on Thursday and promptly crashed out of the tournament.

She lost 6-4, 0-6, 6-4 to Russian teenager Daria Kasatkina in a second round match, after Kerber received a first round bye.

It is the second time this year that the 19-year-old has won against the former Australian Open champion after beating her at the Sydney International last month, 7-6, 6-2.

The tournament had started on Monday, but Kerber had faced a frustrating wait to get out on court. The defeat caps a miserable start to 2017 for Kerber who lost in the fourth round in Melbourne as she sought to defend her Australian Open title.

Tags: Angelique Kerber, Australian Open champion, Daria Kasatkina, Qatar Open, Sydney International