Dubai: Russian pin-up and top seed Maria Kirilenko is eyeing the title as she opens up her campaign against wild card Aniko Kapros in the 9th Habtoor Tennis Challenge that gets under way from Monday.
Kirilenko, who was present for the draw, was drawn to play Kapros, a finalist at the third edition of the tournament.
The draw for the singles was held at the Habtoor Grand Resort and Spa in the presence of Rahim Abou Omar, CEO of Habtoor Hospitality, Pehlaj Malhotra from sponsors HSBC, Mohammad Al Merri from Tennis Emirates, Clare Wood, ITF Supervisor, and Hani Al Khafief, the assistant ITF Referee.
Good shape
"I am here to win," Kirilenko promised.
"I treat this tournament as any other competition on the tour, and each time I step out on court I want to win," she added.
Kirilenko has been one of the top attractions on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour. After she heard about the Habtoor Tennis Challenge she decided to make the trip to Dubai and start preparing for the 2008 season starting off with the Australian Open next month.
"I have been practising very hard for the past three weeks.
"I take all tournaments seriously and I want to win this one too," Kirilenko smiled.
"I am in good shape at the moment and I hope I can go all the way here," she added.
Organisers were hoping for an upliftment for the sport in the country and region due to such a high-profile entry this year. "The best thing Maria Kirilenko can do is to motivate our players and other talented youngsters in the region," Al Khafief noted.
"For sure, she will attract some more media attention and the tournament will be known even more," he added.
Fantastic field
While Kirilenko is the top seed, countrywoman Alla Kudryavtseva was given the number two seeding here. She will face Germany's Angelika Roesch in her first round match.
The wild card entrants were also decided with Neha Uberoi, Iroda Tulyaganova, Aniko Kapros and Katherina Brown the chosen four.
"We have a fantastic field this year and the limelight will be definitely on Maria Kirilenko," said Tournament Director Farid Jayussi.
"Entry is open and we can look forward to an exciting week of women's tennis," he added.
Qualifying rounds for the main draw are already in progress, and the final four girls to qualify for the main draw will be known later this afternoon.