Grace enters last eight
By Edwin Ashie-Nikoi
22 May 2008
DUBAI — Favourite Grace Talih of Lebanon made it to the quarter-finals with an easy 6-0, 6-1 victory over Irina of Kazakhstan in the women’s singles event of the Al Wasl Open tennis tournament under way here on Tuesday night.
The highly-favoured Talih was in total command of the match with her powerful serves and groundstroke play which her opponent had no answer to. Talih will face India’s Sophia Faisal in the next round.
Namibia’s Soussa Bailey also clinched a berth in the quarter-finals after beating Mia Yam Khould of Morocco 6-3, 6-3. Bailey will meet Concun Bulilan of the Philippines or Julie Aldred in the quarters.
Sonia Karoui of Tunisia produced a superb display to oust Amal Kamber of UAE 6-1, 6-1 in a one-sided pre-quarter-final encounter. The Tunisian will now face Beauty McCleod in the quarter-finals. McCleod overcame India’ s Nikita Pereira 7-5, 6-1.
Daniel Dupont of Denmark and partner,Samir Arjomangkah of Iran, battled hard before overcoming youngsters, Kirk Rebuyas of the Philippines and Ishan Choubal (India) in three sets of the men’s doubles event.
Dupont/Arjomangka took the first set 6-3. But the two 13-year-olds, Rebuyas/Choubal, came back strongly in the second to win the second set 6-3 to level the scores 1-1.
The deciding set was full thrills as both pairs took turns to dominate. But Dupont/Arjomangkah took the last two points to win the set 18-16 and the match.
In the other men’s doubles match, Francois Rachman (South Africa)/Fredric Novas (Switzerland) notched up an easy 6-0, 6-0 win over father and son, Sean and Chase Paul.
The tournament, which forms part of the UAE Tennis Ranking System, is also being organised to promote breast cancer awareness in the UAE.
Zayed Abbas, manager of Al Wasl tennis club, addressing the media on Monday, said the theme of the tournament is: “join us to beat breast cancer”.
The tournament and the breast cancer campaign is supported by Dubai International Women’s Club, Higher Colleges of Technology, Gems schools, led by Jumairah College, DP World, London Crown Hotel Apartment, Nada and Florida natural water, the official drink of the tournament. Al Yaqoub Group and Sun and Sand Sports are the main sponsors.
Results: Women’s singles: Grace Talih (Lebanon) bt Irina(Kazakhstan) 6-0, 6-1; Soussa Bailey (Nmibia) bt Mia Yam Khould (Morocco) 6-3, 6-3; Sonia Karoui (Tunisia)bt Amal Kamber (UAE); Beauty McCleod bt Nikita Pereira (India) 7-5, 6-1.
Men’s doubles: Pierre Renaudie (France)/Jeanmarie Renaudie (France) bt Hamed Ali/Adil Baker 6-0, 6-0; Francois Rachman (South Africa)/Fredric Novas (Switzerland) bt Sean Paul (Trinidad and Tobago)/Chase Paul (Trinidad and Tobago) 6-0, 6-0; Daniel Dupont (Denmark)/Samir Arjomangkah (Iran) bt Kirk Rebuyas (Philippines)/Ishan Choubal (India)6-3, 3-6, 18-16.
