Dubai: Canadian teenage sensation Eugenie Bouchard will be among the highlights at this weekend’s qualifiers for the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships.
Bouchard set the recent Australian Open alight as she fought her way to the women’s singles semi-finals, seeing off former world number one Ana Ivanovic along the way.
She will be joined in the Dubai qualifiers by the fast-improving Luksika Kumkhum of Thailand, along with well-known names like Andrea Petkovic, Daniela Hantuchova, Flavia Pennetta, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova and Bethanie Mattek-Sands.
The first Canadian since Carling Bassett-Seguso in 1984 to reach the last-four of a Grand Slam, Bouchard’s run Down Under was ended by eventual champion Li Na of China. However, it earned Bouchard the title of the WTA ‘Rising Star of the Month’ for January.
Also making a huge impression in Australia was Kumkhum, who produced one of the biggest upsets of the fortnight when she beat World No 6 and reigning Dubai champion Petra Kvitova in straight sets on the opening day.
American Mattek-Sands is a colourful character both on and off the court with her unconventional attire and appearance, but that doesn’t overshadow her ability to beat the best. She also created headlines in Australia thanks to her victory over defending champion and 2012 Dubai winner Agnieszka Radwanska in Sydney.
Mattek-Sands is also the defending Dubai doubles champion after taking the title last year with Indian Sania Mirza.
The qualifying draw will decide which four players advance to the February 17 to 22 main draw.
“Such is the quality of the field for the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, several accomplished players are unable to gain direct entry to the tournament,” said Colm McLoughlin, Executive Vice-Chairman of tournament owners and organisers Dubai Duty Free.
“Indeed, many of those who are required to play in the qualifying rounds have achieved success at the very highest level and competition for the four places available in the main draw will be very tough indeed.”
The main draw features six of the world’s top ten players, including defending champion Kvitova, 2011 winner Caroline Wozniacki and Radwanska, while two-time Dubai champion Venus Williams has been handed a wild card.
Tournament director Salah Tahlak added: “Entry to the qualifying rounds is free and they will provide fantastic entertainment. Dubai tennis fans will have the opportunity to see some of the biggest names in the sport and the rising stars vying for the right to join a field that includes nearly every top player in the world.”
The two-week championships, held under the patronage of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, will be held at the Dubai Tennis Stadium in Al Garhoud from February 17 to March 1. The qualifying rounds will begin at 10.30am on Saturday.
For more information log on to www.dubaidutyfreetennischampionships.com or call +971 4417 2415.
