Kontaveit hopes for Melbourne magic in Dubai

Dubai - Kontaveit, who has battled her way through ill health, became the first Estonian, male or female, to reach the last eight of the Australian Open

World No.22 Anett Kontaveit is hoping that a triumphant showing in the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships can act as a springboard in her quest of breaking into the top 10.
The Estonian had finished No.20 two years ago but illness towards the end of last year saw the 24-year-old take a break.
She withdrew from her third-round match against current Dubai champion Switzerland's Belinda Bencic at the US Open due to a viral illness.
Following a procedure, Kontaveit worked her way back to full fitness and the results are starting to show. Kontaveit, who had a breakthrough season in 2017 where she cracked the top 50, made it to her first Grand Slam quarterfinal at the Australian Open this year.
And Kontaveit hopes the Melbourne magic can continue here in Dubai.
"It was my first Grand Slam quarterfinals so, I'm really happy about it and I'm really happy that the hard work has started to pay off, little by little.
So, really stoked about it and I'm looking forward to the rest of the year," Kontaveit said during the draw for the 20th edition of the tournament at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium on Saturday.
Kontaveit, who became the first Estonian, male or female, to reach the last eight of the Australian Open, revealed that she had found herself in a new situation because of her health issue.
"I hadn't been in this situation before and I didn't know how it was going to go. When I was preparing, I didn't know how soon I would be able to come back.
"But I managed to get over it quite quickly. I actually felt really well during pre-season. And yeah, if you put in the hard work and effort, things pay off," she said.
And on the comeback trail, Kontaveit didn't expect things to transpire the way it did in Melbourne.
"I didn't think so much ahead. I was really taking it match by match. And each match gave me more and more confidence and I was feeling really well on the court there, and feeling well fitness-wise, and really enjoying being out there," said Kontaveit.
Kontaveit hopes Dubai can be kind enough too.
"One tournament ends and a new one comes straight away. So, it starts building up straight from the beginning every week. So, it definitely gave me some confidence. It is a new week and we will see how it will go," she said.
"My goal is to make it to the top 10. But it would have to be a really amazing year for me. But, that's what I'm going for," Kontaveit added.
james@khaleejtimes.com