Inspirational Jabeur Seeks to Be Among Top 20 Soon VINAY NAYUDU Put in My Mind That I Want to DOHA Be in Top 20 and I Think I’M Going on the Right Track
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Six-time champion Attiyah extends overall lead with stage win at Manateq QCCR 2020 PAGE 14 TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2020 Inspirational Jabeur seeks to be among top 20 soon VINAY NAYUDU put in my mind that I want to DOHA be in top 20 and I think I’m going on the right track. Most ONS Jabeur has been quite a important thing is to improve trendsetter in tennis for the my game, I see that I’m better Arab world. A toast and pride with holding the stress or with of Arab world since her su- managing some points, so I per exploits at the Australian think I can really play better QTSBF President Nasser al Khelaifi, former Arsenal manager and Open Grand Slam where she and maybe like really, really current FIFA Chief of Global Football Development Arsene Wenger became the first Arab woman play and win a good tourna- with players and officials during the WTA Qatar Total Open 2020 to make the quarter-finals, the ment,” she explained. Players Gala Dinner. 25-year-old Tunisian is back The first North African again in Doha for the Qatar Right on track! winner of a junior Grand Slam Total Open 2020. at age 16, Jabeur is also some- Stars treated to a night She made a breezy start to I’m proud of what I’m one who knows how to manage her campaign with a win on stress by herself. “I know how Sunday and is keen to excel doing, I hope I can inspire to be able to manage the stress. of fun at Qatar Total more in the Premier 5 tourna- Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur plays a return against Czech republic’s Katerina many people and hopefully Earlier it was kind of like going ment. And as she herself put it, Sinaikova on Sunday. it could continue because away or not like being able to she really seems to be putting it’s just the start of the face it, but now I’m like more Open 2020 gala her mind over matter. And as Mlika recalled dur- ter whose achievements have season. I have put in my facing it, more going and like “For me, if I put myself in ing Jabeur’s Australian Open made her a beacon for people mind that I want to be in whatever happens, happens. TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK Chair – Total Laurent Wolff- this position to be one of the stint she had already told her of the region to follow. I’m just there, I’m jumping DOHA sheim among others. best players in the world, then mother that she would make When Jabeur beat Caroline top 20 and I think I’m from a rooftop or something, The guests were treated I think it’s going to happen her travel places even when she Garcia of France, the retiring going on the right track. that’s me, going there.” THE players and officials of to music from a live band, be- and I have pretty good feeling was just 10. former world No.1 Caroline – Ons Jabeur There also another thing the Qatar Total Open 2020 sides other entertainment on about this season,” she said “Several times she told her Wozniacki of Denmark, and unique to Jabeur, her playing took time away from the the sidelines, making the night after her win over Czech Kat- mother: ‘One day I will get you China’s Qiang Wang at the a huge tribute saying, “Every style makes her a favourite for adrenaline rush a competition a memorable one for all at- erina Sinaikova. a coffee at Roland Garros’,” Australian Open before falling swing of her racquet honours the crowds. of its calibre typically gives, to tendees. It’s simply great what the said Mlika. “I took it as a bit of to the eventual champion Sofia the Tunisian flag.” “Well, to be honest, before enjoy a night of glamour, fun Welcoming the guests, 5’6” high player has been able a joke but it seems she was very Kenin of the US, a whole nation When asked how that I used to focus a lot on the hot and entertainment at an ex- Khelaifi said, “It is a great to achieve in her career so far. serious. It’s magical.” of Tunisia and the African and made her feel, Jabeur said, “I shots because I kind of want to clusive gala dinner held at the pleasure to once again welcome But all of this has come with a French Open would be the Arab world broke into a frenzy. say, it’s a good pressure to play entertain the crowd, but now Marsa Malaz Kempinski Doha everyone to this gala dinner. In lot of hard work and her un- next Grand Slam this year. But The Australian odyssey good, especially if the President I’m focusing more on myself, on Sunday. line with our annual tradition, shakeable belief. for now, Jabeur said on Sunday made Jabeur the first Arab is interested in what you’re do- focusing more on my game and Tennis stars including this dinner serves as an oppor- The journey began when that her parents were here in player to reach the last eight of ing and many other political it’s kind of happening, some tournament’s top-seeds Ash- tunity to enjoy the great hospi- Jabeur handled a racquet at Doha with her. “My parents are a major. Egyptian, Betsy Ab- people were out there following pretty good shots here also. It’s leigh Barty, Karolina Pliskova, tality the Qatar Total Open of- the age of just three in the small here. They don’t come often so bas, reached the quarters at me. I’m proud of what I’m do- a part of my game. I love to put Belinda Bencic, Elina Svito- fers and for everyone to let the town of Hammam Sousse, near I had to really put extra effort Roland Garros in 1960 but that ing, I hope I can inspire many some spice into this game and lina, Sofia Kenin, Kiki Bertens hair down as much as possible. the seaside resort of Sousse in to play better here. They didn’t was before the Open era. people and hopefully it could I think it’s really good. Some- and Petra Kvitova were at the I wish everyone a wonderful eastern Tunisia. come to Dubai, but at least see- Such was the euphoria continue because it’s just the times it could be boring just event which was also attended night and I wish the players the After a stint at a club, she ing them on the court in my that Tunisian President Tu- start of the season.” hitting the ball and it’s not me. by QTSBF President Nasser best of luck.” joined a tennis promotion cen- box it was a really incredible nisian President Kais Saied The inspiration has also I go along with any drop shot, al Khelaifi, QTSBF Secretary- The Qatar Total Open tre at her school run by Nabil feeling,” she said. described her as “an example made Jabeur set sights on be- with any passing shot, that’s General Tariq Zainal, Tourna- 2020 started on Sunday and Mlika who coached her from a Surely the parents must be for women and young peo- ing in the world’s top 20. She’s me, that’s my game and hope- ment Director Saad al Mohan- it will run until February 29 at four-year-old up to 13. equally proud of their daugh- ple”. He followed it up with currently ranked 44th. “I have fully I can do more,” she added. nadi and Managing Director the Khalifa International Ten- Total E&P Qatar, and Country nis & Squash Complex. Anisimova stuns Svitolina; Rybakina fights back to beat Cirstea VINAY NAYUDU her on-court interview. DOHA “I still have energy! I’m just fighting in every match, and KNOWN for her giant-killing we’ll see. Hopefully I can keep skills, American teenager making finals and finally win Amanda Anisimova threw up another,” added the 20-year- the biggest upset of Qatar To- old, who has amassed an im- tal Open 2020 on the second pressing 19-4 record in her first day on Tuesday packing off 5th five tournaments of the season, seed and last year’s semi-final- winning the Hobart Interna- ist Elina Svitolina of Ukraine in tional and reaching three other straight sets. finals. Three of her four defeats The excitement of youth have been against Top 10 op- and mix of aggression saw Ani- position, while she defeated the simova topple her fancied op- likes of Australian Open cham- ponent 6-3, 6-3 in just over an pion Sofia Kenin and former hour on the centre court at the World No.1 Karolina Pliskova Khalifa International Tennis & Kazakhstan’s Elena rybakina in action against romania’s en route to the final in Dubai. Squash Complex. Sorana Cirstea during their first round match on Monday. “It’s my first time here, and The win saw the American it’s a really nice place. Hope- move into the third round of fully I’ll have time to walk the $3.2mn WTA Premier 5 around, but I’m enjoying Doha tournament. so far,” she said of Qatar. She had accounted for “I love playing here. I love Earlier, 15th seed Maria Russian Ekaterina Alexan- RESULTS this stadium and the crowd is Sakkari of Greece prevailed drova 6-3, 7-6 (4) in the open- SINGLES 6-4, 7-5; Dayana Yastremska (UKR) bt Q-Kirsten great.