Kirilenko headed for Dubai

Dubai: Russian pin-up Maria Kirilenko will be one of the star attractions at this year's 9th Al Habtoor Tennis Challenge to be held at the Habtoor Grand Resort and Spa from December 10-15.

“Maria Kirilenko is one of the few confirmed players for this year,'' Tournament Director Farid Al Jayyusi told Gulf News.

“We've had some of the top names playing in our tournament and we are not surprised that a star like Kirilenko chose the Al Habtoor Tennis Challenge to kick-start her preparations for next season,'' Al Jayyusi said.

The organizers have received a huge list from the ITF of nearly 400 players who have expressed their desire to play in Dubai this year.

And they are expecting at least ten of these to figure in the top 100 list of the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour.

“Kirilenko will obviously be our top seed this year,'' said Hani El Khafief, the ITF Referee for the annual event, now in its ninth year.