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French Stars to Woo Dubai Fans

DUBAI — French flair has played a leading role at the Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships ever since Fabrice Santoro reached the very first final back in 1993. Even though he lost to Czech Karel Novacek on that occasion, the player nicknamed ‘The Magician’ was still at the top of his game 10 years later as he claimed the title with victory over Younes El Aynaoui.

As well as winning the singles title in 2002, Santoro also took away two doubles crowns, in 2004 with partner Mahesh Bhupathi and in 2007 with Nenad Zimonjic. Other former French champions were Jerome Golmard, who won the men’s title in 1999 and Amelie Mauresmo, the second winner of the women’s title in 2002.

Yet another French name was almost engraved on the Women’s Open trophy last year when Virgine Razzano swept all the way to the final before her spectacular run was ended by Venus Williams. Razzano will be back this year, hoping to repeat last year’s form that saw her defeat Kateryna Bondarenko, world number two Dinara Safina in straight sets, Daniela Hantuchova, world number five Vera Zvonareva also in straight sets, and Kaia Kanepi.

“This week has been the best week of my career,” said Razzano after facing Williams in the final. “I think I played well again and I felt a good connection with the crowd. The crowd warmed to me and that was great.”

Marion Bartoli is also back to make a bid for the title after a disappointing end to her 2009 campaign here when she was forced to retire in the third round against Vera Zvonareva because of blisters on her feet. She went on to have a successful season, following up her earlier run to the final in Brisbane by winning in Monterrey and again in Stanford, where she beat Venus Williams in the final. Bartoli then closed out the season by reaching the final of the Tournament of Champions in Bali where injury again intervened and forced her to retire after the opening set.Her opponent in that final was compatriot Aravane Rezai, who enjoyed a breakthrough season in 2009 by reaching the Auckland semifinals and then claiming her first career title in Strasbourg. After closing out the year by winning in Bali she got off to a great start this year, reaching the semifinals in Sydney.

“I’ve no doubt Aravane Rezai will draw a great deal of attention here in Dubai, as she is now one of the best young players in the world and one in the draw to really watch out for,” said Colm McLoughlin, Managing Director of tournament owners and organisers Dubai Duty Free.

“In addition to Rezai, we are pleased to welcome back both Marion Bartoli, who enjoyed such a fine 2009 season, and Virginie Razzano who surprised us all with her progress to the final here last year.”

Trying to match the success of Santoro and Golmard at the ATP event will be Gilles Simon and Julien Benneteau.

It was Simon who defeated Santoro in the legend’s last appearance here in the 2009 quarter-finals. Later in 2009, he won the Bangkok title before finishing the season well with a quarter-final berth in Shanghai and a semifinal in Lyon.

“The French have a long history of success at the Dubai Tennis Stadium, and with so many returning this year we can look forward to them challenging for yet another title here,” added McLoughlin.

The Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships, to be held under the patronage of His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, begins on Sunday, February 14, 2010, with the WTA Tour event and continues with the ATP tournament from Monday, February 22.