Stosur shocker tops night of surprises in Doha

DOHA, (Reuters) – Samantha Stosur’s win over world number one Caroline Wozniacki was not the only surprise for an unsuspecting crowd at the WTA Championships, where music, dance and even a frightened feline vied with the tennis for attention.

An uninspiring opening match between Vera Zvonareva and Victoria Azarenka yesterday took a bizarre turn at the second change of ends when a break-dancing trio began ‘busting moves’ on court at the Khalifa Tennis Complex.

A solo saxophone player serenaded the crowd during the Kim Clijsters/Jelena Jankovic match, and then a curious cat padded onto the purple-coloured court to hold up Wozniacki’s game against Stosur. The scaredy-cat scampered under the hoardings at the side of the court before making its escape.

Stosur, who opened her Maroon Group campaign at the $4.55 million tournament with a straight sets win over Francesca Shiavone, said her indifferent from coming into Doha had been a cause for concern.

“I guess when you haven’t been playing so well leading up to a big event, there’s maybe that a little bit of doubt,” the Australian told a media conference.

“(But) I had always been practising well and doing all the right things. I was hopeful that it would turn around soon.”