Players in action during a qualifying round match at the Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex, yesterday.
Tennis stars including four recent finalists are ready to battle for the golden Falcon Trophy as the Qatar Total Open begins today, with thrilling first round games on the cards.
Top-notch action is guaranteed at the Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex in the next six days, with 10 players of the Top 20 - including four from Top 10 – eyeing top prize in the $565,530 competition and maximum points to boost their rankings.
The winner of the event will be awarded 470 points besides getting richer by $68,570.
The qualifying rounds concluded yesterday to complete the 28-player list for the first round with top four seeded players getting bye into the second round.
World No.5 Elina Svitolina is the top seed followed by the trio of No.6 Karolina Pliskova, defending champion and No.8 Aryna Sabalenka, and No.10 Petra Kvitova, who have won titles in three of the last four years in Doha.
In-form players out to challenge favourites
But, it will not be easy sailing for the top seeded players as many in-form players have come to this first leg in the Middle East after an eventful stay in Australia.
These players include four players, who featured in the recent finals.
America’s Jennifer Brady – considered among the most dangerous WTA players – is coming fresh from her impressive Australian Open campaign that ended with a loss to Naomi Osaka in the final. She will meet Anett Kontaveit in her first round match today.
Also in fray is Spain’s Garbiñe Muguruza – a Yarra Valley Classic finalist, who was the only player to win set against Osaka in Melbourne last month. The former World No.1’s coach Conchita Martinez was tested positive after his arrival in Doha.
However, Muguruza will take on Abu Dhabi runner-up Veronika Kudermetova in first round, and a win will set up her mouth-watering clash with defending champion Sabalenka in the second round. Belinda Bencic, who rushed to Doha after featuring in the Adelaide International final on Saturday, faces Madison Keys in her opener.
Victoria Azarenka – Qatar Open winner in 2012 and 2013 – is one of the four players, who were awarded wildcards for the tournament. The other three players are 2016 finalist Jelena Ostapenko, Egypt’s Mayar Sherif and Turkey’s Cagla Buyukakcay. Azarenka is last of the only three players, who captured the Falcon Trophy twice after triumphs of Anastasia Myskina (2003, 2004) and Maria Sharapova (2005, 2008).
Dutch star Kiki Bertens – seeded fifth - is also ready to start her year after a layoff as she takes on Ostapenko in her first round clash today.
“We got here early because I have to play outdoors again, which is a huge difference. I practised only indoors the last few weeks,” World No.11 Bertens told media.
“I’m hungry to play again some matches. Let’s see what this week is going to bring.”
Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur – the most successful female Arab player – and Egypt’s Sherif are also looking to excel in a familiar environment.
Jabeur, who lost in the third round of Australian Open, may face a second round clash with second seed Pliskova in the second round.
“Honestly, I want to aim big in these two tournaments,” Jabeur told a video conference.
“I love it here. It doesn’t stress me to play in Arab countries. I want to see more tournaments in the Middle East and maybe North Africa.”
Sherif, after becoming the first Egyptian to qualify for a Grand Slam, reached the second round of Australian Open. She will face Maria Sakkari of Greece in her first round match.
