Browsing 'tennis' News

byShabina S. Khatri
Photos
byShabina S. Khatri
Photos

All photos by Ray Toh

It’s been a soggy week of play for the international athletes in town for the Qatar Total Open.

Despite two days of canceled matches due to rain, the tournament reaches the quarterfinals stage today.

Among the players who have advanced this far are World No. 2 Angelique Kerber of Germany, World No. 5 Dominika Cibulkova of Slovakia and in a surprise upset, Shuai Zhang of China.

The 28-year-old defeated World No.7 and fifth-seeded Garbine Muguruza of Spain.

Crowds were pretty thin at the Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex this week due to the rain.

But they will likely pick up heading into the weekend and finals, which are on Saturday, Feb. 18.

Do you plan to go? Thoughts?

byShabina S. Khatri
Sports
byShabina S. Khatri
Sports

Ray Toh

Qatar Total Open 2016

Some of the best tennis players in the world are in town this week to compete in the 2017 Qatar Total Open, which opens on Monday.

The 15th edition of the tournament runs from Feb. 13 to 18 and will see several top-seeded athletes compete for some $776,000 in prize money.

That includes former World No. 1 Angelique Kerber of Germany, Poland’s Agnieszka Radwanska and Dominika Cibulkova of Slovakia.

Czech’s Karolina Pliskova and Garbine Muguruza of Spain are also among 32 singles players facing off in the six-day event, according to the Qatar Tennis Federation.

However, Carla Suárez Navarro, the 2016 champion, has withdrawn due to a shoulder injury. World No.8 Svetlana Kuznetsova has also pulled out of the tournament.

Tickets

It remains unclear how the weather will affect play this week, as forecasters are warning of high winds and rainy conditions.

But tickets are still on sale for those who wish to check out the tournament, which is being held at the Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex.

Ray Toh

Qatar Total Open 2016

They start at QR25 and go up to QR350 per person.

Who’s going? Thoughts?

byShabina S. Khatri
Sports
byShabina S. Khatri
Sports

QTF/Facebook

2016 Qatar Total Open

Seven of the world’s top 10 female tennis players will be in Doha next month to compete in the 15th edition of the QTA Qatar Total Open.

That includes World No. 1 Angelique Kerber, defending champion Carla Suárez Navarro, Agnieszka Radwanska, Dominika Cibulkova and Karolina Pliskova, according to Doha Stadium Plus.

They will be competing for some $776,000 in prize money.

The tournament will be held from Feb. 13 to Feb. 18 at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash complex in Dafna/West Bay.

Ray Toh

Tennis Open 2016

The Qatar Tennis Federation said tickets are now on sale online on its website and at the venue, as well as at City Center, Villaggio and Landmark malls.

Ticket info

Tickets start at QR25 and go up to QR350 per person.

All children over the age of two years old need to have a ticket to get into the complex. But children under five years old are not allowed into the stands.

In a statement, tournament director Saad al Mohannadi said:

“It’s a great privilege to host this world-class event again in Doha. Qatar has become a home for tennis and we are ready as usual to showcase the best the game can offer.

All hands are on the deck to ensure a very successful tournament and it is our belief that this year’s event will be greater than all the previous in all ramifications.”

Who’s going? Thoughts?