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Top women stars ready to fight for Dubai crown
Elina Svitolina up for challenge at Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships. — AP
Dubai - The final is scheduled for March 13 (Saturday)
The Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, the first WTA 1000 event of the season, starts today. The Dubai champion will take home $221,500 and 900 ranking points.
Some of the top stars including Elina Svitolina, Karolina Pliskova, Aryna Sabalenka, Petra Kvitova, Belinda Bencic, Victoria Azarenka and Iga Swiatek will grace the occasion.
Wildcards were offered to Timea Babos, Coco Gauff and Anastasia Potapova.
The final is scheduled for March 13 (Saturday) and the tournament will be staged behind closed doors due to Covid-19 restrictions.
The top seed Svitolina is unhappy over the reduction of WTA prize money. But one should not forget that these are the difficult for sports and players must adjust their expectations.
The 26-year-old has amassed more than $20 million in prize money throughout her career, said that the recent developments may have an impact on her scheduling in future.
“I had to adjust, like for example with my team, with my daily life,” Svitolina told journalists during her virtual press conference on Sunday.
“Maybe a little bit smarter and I think for everyone it’s important to readjust because right now there is definitely a significant change in the prize money,” she said.
“I feel okay with this kind of Zoom press conference but I feel better emotionally to see each other and to have this eye contact when you guys ask me some questions.”
Only two women have won Doha and Dubai back-to-back. Martina Hingis accomplished the feat in 2001 and Justine Henin did it in 2007. Qatar Open champion Petra Kvitova stands a good chance to follow the suit.
Kvitova has enjoyed his stay in Qatar as she captured the title to bring her career title tally to 28. She will be a player to watch in Dubai.
The emerging star Iga Swiatek is ready to make her Dubai debut. The French Open champion is seeded No.8. With a bye into the second round, the Polish star will face either Polona Hercog or a qualifier.
Swiatek is one of the most sought-after tennis star in the world at the moment. She has won her first WTA 500 title two weeks ago at the Adelaide International. The teenager could be a surprise package in Dubai event.
Ranked at a career-high No.15, the 19-year-old has a bright future ahead.
Another attraction at Dubai event will emerging star Coco Gauff who will face Ekaterina Alexandrova in the first round.
Australian Open finalist Jennifer Brady has got a chance to show her potential to claim the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships.
The Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships is one of the most eagerly anticipated events on the UAE sporting calendar and one of the most popular tournament stops for the ATP World Tour and the WTA Tour.
liaqat@khaleejtimes.com
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