Bertens Ready for Return to Big Action at Qatar Total Open 2021 Muguruza to Take on Kudermetova in Opening Day Clash at Khalifa International Complex
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QatarTribune Qatar_Tribune Brilliant Bale QatarTribuneChannel qatar_tribune at the double in Tottenham’s big win over Burnley in Premier League MONDAY, MARCH 1, 2021 PAGE 14 Bertens ready for return to big action at Qatar Total Open 2021 Muguruza to take on Kudermetova in opening day clash at Khalifa International Complex VINAY NAYUDU DOHA WORLD number 11 Kiki Bertens will be one of the stars in action on the show courts at the Qatar Total Open 2021 which will swing into action at the Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex on Monday afternoon. The 29-year-old, who World number 11 Kiki Bertens will be one of the stars in action at the Qatar Total Open 2021 at the Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia, who made the final of Qatar Total Open in 2016, during a training session at became the highest-ranked Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex on Monday. the Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex on Sunday. Dutch female player in 2019 as world number four, will be returning to the WTA Tour for the first time since 2020R o- land Garros after undergoing achilles surgery in October. Bertens will be up against wild card entrant and 2016 fi- nalist in Doha – Jelena Ostap- enko from Latvia. “I’m feeling good. It’s been Ooredoo is Silver Sponsor QTO 2021 a while of course... I’ve had lots of rehab and recovery – ready Qatar’s leading telecommunications operator has announced it and hungry to play,” said is to reprise its role as Silver Sponsor of the Qatar Total Open Bertens adding that preparing We are delighted to witness (QTO) at this year’s event. Sabah Rabiah Al Kuwari, Director PR for the tournament amid the the start of another week of at Ooredoo, said: “We’re delighted to be sponsoring the Qatar pandemic “been tough”. fantastic tennis from some Total Open for another year, as we’re committed to supporting “I had some exceptions so of the world’s best players events that promote a healthy, active lifestyle as part our corpo- I could at least practice. Of at the Qatar Total Open rate social responsibility strategy, and delighted that yet again course, everything for me was we can be a part of shining the spotlight on Qatar as the ideal indoors because it was winter 2021. This year’s venue for major sporting events. After the challenges of the in the Netherlands. For me to tournament is unique pandemic lockdowns, it’s great to be seeing live sporting events play outdoors again it’s a big due to the global pandemic, starting up again and we look forward to enjoying some awe- difference. I am feeling good. I but we look forward some tennis from some of the best female players in the world.” am pain free, I am ready and to a hitch-free and hungry to play some matches exciting event. in Doha,” she added. Monday Order of Play On how challenging it Tariq Zainal, Qatar Tennis Centre Court (Starts 2:30pm) Court B (Starts 2:30pm) would be coming off a lay-off, Federation Secretary-General (7) J. Brady (USA) vs A. Kontaveit (EST) Qualifier: (2) L. Siegemund (GER) vs L. Tsurenko (UKR) she said, “I certainly think I V. Kudermetova (RUS) vs G. Muguruza (ESP) Doubles (Starts 5pm) NB 6:00 PM [5] K. Bertens (NED) vs [WC] J. Ostapenko (1) B. Krejcikova (CZE) / K. Siniakova (CZE) vs S. Zheng still have the level, otherwise (LAT) (CHN) / L. Zhu (CHN) I wouldn’t be here at the mo- interest will be the battle be- S. Kuznetsova (RUS) vs (WC) [8] V. Azarenka (BLR) A. Klepac (SLO) / S. Mirza (IND) vs L. Kichenok (UKR) / ment, but I have to put the tween Egyptian and fast rising Court A (Starts 2:30pm) N. Kichenok (UKR) Qualifer: (1) J. Pegula (USA) vs (8) M. Doi (JPN) Court 1 (Starts 2:30pm) things in perspective. For me, Former world numner one and twice Qatar Total Open champion in 2011 and 2012 Victoria Azarenka of Mayar Sherif against Greek 5pm: A. Kerber (GER) vs (WC) C. Buyukakcay (TUR) C. Bucsa (ESP) vs (7) Kr. Pliskova (CZE) it’s tough to have any predic- Belarus during a training session at the Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex in Doha. Maria Sakkari. M. Sakkari (GRE) vs (WC) M. Sherif (EGY) B. Mattek-Sands (USA) vs (6) A. Blinkova (RUS). tions because it’s my first tour- nament in a long time.” talked about what makes her Twice Grand Slam cham- will be up against twice Doha India’s Sania in doubles Bertens also revealed her click in Doha including the pion, Spaniard Muguruza is champion (2012 and 2013) In the doubles action, In- the 19th edition of Qatar Total demic, but we look forward to liking of the Doha tourna- sun, good weather and food. world ranked 15 while the Victoria Azarenka of Belarus, dia’s Sania Mirza, another Open, Tariq Zainal, Qatar Ten- a hitch-free and exciting event. ment. “I love Doha to be hon- Given the comfort levels, 23-year-old Russian Kuderme- who is seeded eight. big local favourite here, will nis Federation Secretary-Gen- “I believe the fans will en- est. We got here early because the two players can be ex- tova is ranked 24 and arrives Three-time Grand Slam be teaming up with Slovakian eral, said, “We are delighted joy themselves as the players I have to play outdoors again, pected to produce their best in having made her first-ever champion Angelique Kerber Andreja Klepac. to witness the start of another showcase their stuff at the which is a huge difference as their opening clash here. WTA singles final in Abu Dhabi will aim for a good start in her The duo play Ukranians week of fantastic tennis from tournament. I admonish all I practiced only indoors with Preceding this match will recently where she lost to Aryna opening match against wild Lyudmyla Kichenok and Na- some of the world’s best play- participants to please adhere my coach Elise (Tamaela) the be the contest between 2018 Sabalenka in the final. card entrant Carla Buyukak- diia Kichenok in the evening ers at the Qatar Total Open to all the safety measures put last few weeks.” finalistGarbine Muguruza and In a clash of veterans, cay of Turkey. on Court B. 2021. This year’s tournament in place as they have fun and Ostapenko too has often Veronika Kudermetova. Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova Attracting a lot of local Welcoming the start of is unique due to the global pan- enjoy their beloved sport.” Returns & Reunions: 10 Things to know about Doha WTA event fter more than a month in ed 470 points. Keep an eye on Ons Jabeur in the Middle East and Victoria Azarenka aims to AAustralia, the tour turns to Four wildcards were awarded: and Mayar Sherif maybe North Africa.” rekindle her Doha success the Middle East swing, which two-time champion Victoria The tour’s highest-ranked play- Last fall, Sherif became the first A champion in Doha in 2012 kicks off with next week’s Qatar Azarenka, 2016 finalist Jelena ers from the Arab world would Egyptian woman to qualify for and 2013, Victoria Azarenka Total Open. WTA Insider breaks Ostapenko, Egypt’s Mayar Sherif love nothing more than to make the main draw at a Slam, doing returns for the first time since down the draw and storylines and Turkey’s Cagla Buyukakcay. a splash over the next two so at Roland Garros. Earlier this 2015 after taking a wildcard for the 19th staging in Doha. Amanda Anisimova, 19, is the weeks. Jabeur comes into Doha month, she became the first to into the event. Azarenka has The tour bids farewell to a pro- youngest player in the draw. off a third-round exit to Osaka in win a main draw Grand Slam enjoyed great success in ductive start of the season in Melbourne, while Sherif lost a match, at the Australian Open. Doha, posting a 14-2 record Australia and has arrived to the Clear your schedule for tough three-setter to Kaja Juvan The 24-year-old comes in ranked over her career. She has made Middle East, where the Qatar a Saturday final in the second round. at a career-high No.114 and is the final or won the title in Total Open kicks off Monday. Main draw play begins on The 31st-ranked Jabeur landed in the top half of the draw. She three of her four main-draw Here’s what you need to know Monday, March 1, and the sin- in the bottom half of the draw opens against Maria Sakkari. appearances. about this week’s event in gles final will be played at and opens her tournament A successful fortnight in the Seeded No.8 this year, Azaren- Doha: 6 p.m. on Saturday, March 6. against a qualifier. She could Middle East could put her into ka faces Svetlana Kuznetsova The doubles final will be played face No.2 seed Pliskova in the the Top 100 for the first time. in the first round. The Russian The Qatar Total Open is a WTA at 4 p.m. on Friday, March 5. Defending champ Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus with the Falcon Trophy. second round. That milestone would result in has played the most matches 500 event this year “Honestly, I want to aim big in more history for the region’s cur- of anyone in Doha over her The Qatar Total Open and Dubai Aryna Sabalenka aims for a Victoria Azarenka to become in Doha.