14 Wednesday, March 3, 2021 Sports Al Shaqab set for Longines Global Champions Tour 2021 Doha start Tribune News Network Doha

Having staged a successful CHI Al Shaqab event just re- cently, Al Shaqab, one of the finest equestrian facilities in the world is now all geared up to play host again – this time for another prestigious and one of the world’s most popular showjumping series the 2021 Longines Global Champions Tour (LGCT) from Thursday (March 4-6). The opening leg of LGCT 2021 will kick off the season at the magnificent outdoor Lon- gines Arena at Al Shaqab. As many as 48 international riders are joining the CSI5* event with some of the most dominant names on the circuit present including Pieter Devos (BEL), Marcus Ehning (GER), Maikel van der Vleuten (NED), Penelope Leprevost (FRA), Peder Fredricson (SWE), Chris- tian Ahlmann (GER), Edwina Tops-Alexander (AUS), Greg- ory Wathelet (BEL) and Eric Lamaze (CAN). And with a golden ticket for the Longines Global Champi- ons Tour Super Grand Prix at the GC Prague Playoffs in the forefront of everyone’s mind, the stars of show jumping will be pulling out all the stops to try and land themselves on top of the podium in Doha.

Omar Al Mannai, Event Director, and Commercial Manager, Al Shaqab; Jan Tops, President and Founder, Longines Global Champions Tour and GCL; and Marco Danese, Sports Director, LGCT, address the media ahead of the Longines Global Champions Tour 2021 on Tuesday. The showjumping series’ opening Doha round kicks off from Thursday (March 4) and will conclude on Saturday (March 6). This is the third year that Al Shaqab is hosting the LGCT season opener, having previously hosted the championship finale, and it is a wonderful and prestigious honour to have the world’s leading five-star showjumping competition in Doha again. Omar Al Mannai, Event Director, and Commercial Manager, Al Shaqab

The event was launched with a press conference near the outdoor riding arena at Al Shaqab. It was addressed by Omar Al Mannai, Event Direc- tor, and Commercial Manager, Al Shaqab, Jan Tops, President and Founder, LGCT and GCL, and Marco Danese, Sports Di- The outdoor Longines Arena at Al Shaqab will see international showjuming action with 48 riders in fray. Mediapersons attending the press conference rector, LGCT. at Al Shaqab on Tuesday. Welcoming top riders from across the globe, Omar Al Man- nai, said: “This is the third year that Al Shaqab is hosting the LGCT season opener, having previously hosted the champi- onship finale, and it is a won- derful and prestigious honour to have the world’s leading five- star showjumping competition in Doha again. “Events such as the Lon- gines Global Champions Tour and Commercial Bank CHI Al 2021 Kick Off - The Longines Shaqab Presented by Longines, are very fortunate to be able to lot of efforts to make it like Al held back-to-back at Al Shaqab, go ahead with our events in Qa- Shaqab and we have to work Global Champions Tour explainedsurfaces, with differ- support Qatar’s National Vision tar at this time,” said Al Mannai. accordingly to the regulations. ent sized arenas and a range of environ- 2030 and play a key role in pro- Appreciating and thanking They have the inheretance with The 2021 Longines Global ments, as well as giving riders the chance to moting Qatar’s development in Al Shaqab and Qatar for the the Arabian horse they want to Champions Tour kicks off in March with the win some serious prize money. the area of equestrian sports. efforts, Jan Tops, who is also be a country of excellence. They world’s very best riders competing for a The top 35 riders according to their penal- It also reflects a commitment the first team trainer for Qa- want to reach the maximum total of €25.9 million in prize money across ties and time qualify from the previous com- from Qatar at a national level to tari riders, said, “Riders love goal. They want to do the best LGCT and GCL, and the highly prestigious petition, which also doubles as a second GCL support equestrian sports. to come here (to Qatar) and and we are looking fwd to con- Championship title. leg, held earlier on the Saturday at each event. “These events bear testa- compete. The Longines Global tinue on the relationship, look- As well as the overall ranking battle, Jumping in reverse order of merit from the ment to Qatar’s position as an Champions Tour adds value to ing to improve and looking to athletes will be competing for a place in the qualifier, horses and riders begin by jumping international sports destina- this glorious place Al Shaqab the future for good results.” highly coveted GC Prague Playoffs, the ultimate over a 1.55m/1.60m course of fences. Any tion, and showcases Al Shaqab as it is a prestigious global Sports Director, LGCT, showdown for the world’s best, scheduled this combination that completes on a zero score, as a premier competition venue event. We are always looking Marco Danese, thanked the year for November at the O2 Arena in the Czech or tie on penalties if no combination remains bar none. forward to having this event hosts for making the opening capital city. Here, winners of each LGCT Grand clear, goes through to a jump-off against the International equestrian here as it serves as an inspira- leg of LGCT possible. “There “With guidance and in- Prix will be invited to compete in the Longines clock, held over a shortened course, to decide champions love competing at Al tion to our young riders. wasn’t the possibility of com- struction from the Ministry Global Champions Tour Super Grand Prix, the ul- top honours. Shaqab’s world-class facilities, “The three-day event will peting and preparing. We have of Public Health, Al Shaqab timate head-to-head battle of the season’s best. and are always keen to return also see Qatar’s Longines to thank Al Shaqab for the great has worked with the LGCT The 2021 season opens in Doha, Qatar, How does the scoring work? for our events,” he added. Hathab Tour 11 which is mag- organization. Given the pan- team to ensure that all neces- and then travels through 16 iconic destinations Points are allocated to each of the 35 rid- The LGCT opener provides nificently growing with the demic stuation, we hope the sary COVID-19 precautionary across four continents, culminating in the sea- ers according to their finishing place in each a huge relief to riders and the increase in young riders and season can continue with a lot measures are in place, and son Finals in Shanghai, China, where this year’s event’s LGCT Grand Prix. Over the season, global organizers since the on- horse owners.” of 5-star shows.” will be strictly enforced. season champion will be crowned. each rider’s top eight scores count towards the going pandemic and the Euro- “Al Shaqab is really unique On the competition in Doha, “In line with the MoPH Showjumping’s top riders team up with their overall championship ranking and a share of pean winter has meant no ac- in the world. It’s a teally horse- he said, “As we saw at CHI Al COVID-19 health and safety best horses for individual honours in a series the bonus prize money, which will be awarded tion for the sport. friendly place which brings Asia Shaqab, the quality of courses, guidelines, the venue capacity of spectacular competitions on the tour, with at the season Finals in Shanghai. Doha comes a big welcome and Europe together. It is also and since the horses are fresh will be restricted to 10 percent,” the LGCT Grand Prix as one of the highlights of and relief. the logistics wise the best place the level of riders is very, very he said. “Tickets can be pur- each event. What about the LGCT Super Grand Prix? “The achievement of host- to be,” he added. high. We can be assured of a chased at the venue on events The world’s top riders may take part in any This is the ultimate showdown in show ing LGCT is especially notewor- On the start of the new sea- superb Grand Prix coming Sat- days but as a further precau- of the 15 LGCT events, earning points and com- jumping. Each winner (or next highest ranked thy during a pandemic such as son of LGCT, he said, “It’s win- urday.” tionary measure, there will not peting for a prize pot of over €300,000 in each athlete if more than one event is won), will COVID-19, which has affected ter in Europe now and hence Al Shaqab has created a ‘bio be a Festival Area this year. of the LGCT Grand Prix. qualify for a place in this special class, held at sporting events around the en- to be able to have the event in bubble’ for the riders, organiza- “Ultimately, the health and Horses and riders compete in any of the the GC Prague Playoffs. This will see the best tire world. We also have the Doha is excellent.” tional staff, and the media. safety of participants, specta- CSI5* supporting classes at each show. This horses and riders across the season return to news that the FEI has canceled On the event being hosted “To keep the bubble secure tors, and all involved with the allows horses to acclimatise to each differ- face off for the ultimate goal of taking the title events in Europe due to the despite all the challenges, Tops there will be safety precautions event remains Al Shaqab’s ent venue, which ranges from grass to sand of LGCT Super Grand Prix Champion. EHV-1 outbreak there. So we said, “You need the skills and in place stressed Al Mannai. highest priority.” Sports Wednesday, March 3, 2021 15

AMIR CUP FOOTBALL Al Duhail, Al Rayyan move into semi-finals Tribune News Network match, Al Rayyan edged out have to be aware of the impor- Doha Al Kharaitiyat 2-0, thanks to a tance of the next match.” brace by Ivorian Yohann Boli, He continued: “We had Al Duhail booked their place in who struck once in each half a beautiful experience in the the semi-finals of the Amir Cup Minnows Al Kharaitiyat Amir Cup final last year, it with a 2-0 victory over Al Sha- gave a good account of them- was one of the most beautiful mal in their quarter-final match selves to keep Al Rayyan on matches we played. The sta- played at the Suhaim Bin Ham- edge but luck deserted them dium was Laura Siegemund in action against Elena Rybakina at the Qatar Total Open ad Stadium on Tuesday. as the Lions progressed to the wonderful and the pitch 2021 at the Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex on Tuesday. Kenyan striker Michael last four stage. was wonderful. We have to Olunga (45+3) and Abdulla continue on our journey to be al-Ahraq (89) were the scorers Cautious Al Sadd taken in the final again.” for Al Duhail as the defend- on Al Gharafa today Xavi also indicated that Returning Keys ing league champions stayed Meanwhile, AlSadd it is small details decide such on course for the prestigious head coach Xavi Hernandez matches, and said: “The small trophy. stressed on the importance of details are very important so Despite being packed with his team’s quarter-final match that we do not lose the game beats Bencic an array of formidable names against Al Gharafa today, de- in one Al Duhail failed to assert their scribing it moment. Everyone works thing that I focused on a lot. supremacy over their rivals, as “a final”. Speaking dur- for the team and these are Siegemund Obviously tonight it showed more so in the first half where ing the pre-match press con- important aspects for us. We that when I’m serving well the Al Shamal defence gallant- ference: “We have to change must continue to be always in upsets Rybakina and hitting my spots, I can get ly stuck to their task. Eventu- our mentality after winning our competitive position to in- ahead in the point.” ally it took an Olunga strike the Qatar Cup, we are liv- crease our WTA Keys will attempt to extend in first half stoppage time to ing through moments of cel- focus and achieve what we Doha her comeback week against Ma- put Al Duhail ahead before Al ebration and we have to move are looking for.” ria Sakkari in the second round. Ahraq put the result beyond from this stage. In my view Regarding Akram Afif’s In her first match since Sep- Sakkari won their only previous doubt in the closing stages of Al Gharafa is one of the best return to the team, Xavi said: tember, Madison Keys beat meeting in straight sets at last the game. teams currently in Qatar and “Akram Afif is one of the best Belinda Bencic in straight sets year’s Australian Open. Al Duhail player Bassem Al they have become a lot better players and we missed him at the Qatar Total Open at Earlier, qualifiers Laura Rawi said it was important to with their coach Slavisa Jo- because he has the ability to Khalifa International Tennis & Siegemund and Jessica Peg- secure victory, no matter how kanovic.” make the difference for the Squash Complex on Tuesday. ula proved the value of match small the margin. “Winning The coach added: “Our team. We won the Qatar Cup, Qualifiers Laura Siege- play at the event by pulling is the most important thing clash with Al Gharafa is a final, but that does not mean that we mund and Jessica Pegula also off first-round upsets of Elena in cup tournaments because and we have to focus more and did not miss Akram Afif.” scored first-round wins over Rybakina and Wang Qiang re- a defeat means you are out of Al Duhail’s Kenyan striker Michael Olunga celebrates scoring the first continue on our path.” Finally, Xavi concluded higher-ranked opponents, spectively. the tournament.” goal against Al Shamal at the QSC Stadium on Tuesday. Duhail won 2-0. Xavi also said: “My mes- with a remark on the squad: while Ons Jabeur set up a re- Siegemund had the tight- “Now that we are in the last sage to the players now is that “We have not yet decided the prise of last year’s clash with er contest, edging Rybakina four our aim is to prepare for our rivals,” he added. ry and hard luck to Al Shamal. we should not be inactive or squad in which we will face Al Karolina Pliskova. 7-6(7), 7-6(5) in 2 hours and the next match and then grab a Ali Afif was also relieved Not everyone is satisfied with lazy. An important match Gharafa. We will work hard in Madison Keys made a suc- 29 minutes. spot in the final. Al Duhail are a after the win, although he the way we won but we will re- awaits us, we have to come out training cessful return to the WTA at The German had lost both big club but that doesn’t mean admitted the scoreline could view our mistakes and address of this to go into the game with the Qatar Total Open on Tues- of her previous encounters we can take matters lightly. We have been better. “Congratula- them,” he added. atmosphere. It is good that complete focus and spirit in day with a 6-4, 6-1 win against with Rybakina in 2019, but must strive to get the better of tions to the team for the victo- In another quarter-final the victories continue, but we order to get the win. No.6 seed Belinda Bencic in this time managed to hold off the opening round in Doha. comeback attempts from her In her first match since opponent in each set. 2020 Roland Garros – a gap An entertaining stylistic of five months – Keys came contrast saw World No.56 out the victor in a battle be- Siegemund take the lead first Portugal’s Geraldo shocks compatriot Apolonia tween Top 20 players. The in both sets. 2017 US Open finalist needed The Roland Garros quar- Tribune News Network just over an hour to start off ter-finalist used dropshots Doha 9 Tokyo 2020 places up for grabs in Doha her season with a victory and and sudden injections of pace gain a 2-1 head-to-head edge to keep Rybakina off-balance, Portugal’s Joao Geraldo A total of nine qualification places for the TokyoO lympics will be against Bencic. and leaped out to a 3-0 dou- stunned compatriot Tiago up for grabs when the World Singles Qualification Tournament “I’m really happy with how ble-break lead off the bat, and Apolonia to enter the men’s (WSQT) gets underway at the Ali Bin Hamad Al Attiya Arena in I came out and played today,” then a 5-3 advantage in the main draw of the World Table Doha from March 14 to 17. Hosted and organised by the Qatar Keys said in her post-match second set. Tennis Doha Contender tour- Table Tennis Association (QTTA), under the auspices and author- press conference. “I’m a little Rybakina battled back nament on Tuesday. ity of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF), four spots bit surprised with myself but gamely, blending her easy At the Lusail Multipur- will be reserved for men while another five set aside for women. hoping to keep the momentum power with finesse of her own, pose Hall yesterday, the 93th- The quotas for the WSQT were confirmed following the latest going tomorrow.” but was almost always on the ranked Geraldo continued update of the 2021 calendar and current planning of pending In her first meeting with back foot scoreboard-wise. his giant-killing with a 9-11, qualification events. Other factors that were also taken into con- A paddler in action at World TT Doha Contender on Tuesday. Bencic since their two previ- Siegemund remained com- 11-7, 11-3, 11-7 win against sideration included qualification events that were either pending ous clashes in 2015, Keys pow- mitted to her strategy despite World No. 57 Apolonia in the or completed, the number of players who have already qualified Assar, listed at no.41, fell short women’s singles qualifiers as ered 24 winners to 17 unforced seeing her leads chipped away, final qualifying round match. in one or multiple events (singles, teams, mixed doubles) and of qualifying for the main Manika Batra and Sreeja Aku- errors and saved four of the and was rewarded at the busi- On Monday, Geraldo had ac- the total number of table tennis quotas that have been reserved draw. Sidorenko lost to world la lost their final qualifying five break points she faced. ness end of each set. counted for 47th-ranked Ger- and are available. A total of 73 and 60 entries have been re- No. 144 of Austria In straight matches. The Commonwealth World No.12 Bencic, just Siegemund, 32, needed to many’s Ruwen Filus. ceived for men and women respectively so far. For the men’s sin- games 11-4, 11-7, 11-3 Games gold medallist Batra three days removed from a save a set point in the first-set There was disappointment gles qualification, three spots will be available for qualification Pavel Sirucek of Czech Re- lost to Ganna Gaponava of runner-up showing in Ad- tie-break but ultimately won it in store for Portugal as 80th in stage one. Entries will be split into three knockout rounds, public moved into the tourna- Ukraine 5-11, 6-11, 14-12, 5-11. elaide, had won six of her past as Rybakina’s backhand broke ranked Joao Monteiro was starting from the round of 32, with the winner of each knockout ment proper. The 51st ranked World No.150 Sreeja lost a eight matches. down on the final two points. knocked out by 141st ranked round qualifying for the singles event at the Tokyo Olympics. Sirucek beat close battle to Mariia Tailakova However, against Keys, In the second set, Siegemund Cho Daeseong of South Korea. Russia’s No. 83 Alexander from Russia 9-11, 11-5, 11-6, 6-11, she was undone by 20 un- would miss a match point serv- The 18-year-old Daeseong was Shibaev 11-9, 11-5, 11-7. 5-11. Tailakova had earlier over- forced errors and won just 28 ing at 5-3, and another at 5-4, trailing by two games to one, 11-6 to enter the main draw. no. 186 Vladimir Sidorenko, It turned out to be a disap- come Indian youngster Archana percent of points off of her sec- but wrapped up victory on her but won 12-10, 9-11, 7-11, 11-9, Meanwhile, Russia’s World who had upset Egypt’s Omar pointing end for India in the Kamath 12-14, 8-11, 8-11. ond serve. fourth with a service winner. Strong forehands by Keys Later, Rybakina withdrew helped her build an early 3-0 from the doubles due to stom- lead in the opening set. She ach pain. The team of Rybaki- extended her lead to 5-3 but na/Shvedova is replaced by was unable to serve out the set the Alternate team of Aman- Trio of Qatari riders for Sharqiyah Baja as Bencic’s improving shot se- muradova/Liang. lection forced errors from the Elsewhere, World No.44 Can-Am Mavericks. lenges from the likes of last American. Pegula’s defeat of World No.35 Bumper national Series regular Ibrahim Al year’s Hail International win- Nevertheless, Keys took Wang may have been an upset Mohanna teams up with Osa- ner Riyadh Al Shammeri and the opening set with a crush- on paper, but reflected the and motorcycle ma Al Sanad and Raed Abu Sultan Al Masoud. ing a forehand winner to break form of each this season. entries boost Theeb to wheel out his Mer- Qatar’s Abdulaziz Al Ab- Bencic in the next game. The American, fresh off cedes truck in T5. dullah has also entered an Exceptionally deep returns her maiden Grand Slam weekend’s Baja Mishal Al Ghuneim tri- Husqvarna in the quad section. by Keys helped her grab an- quarterfinal at the Australian umphed in the inaugural Shar- The Sharqiyah Interna- other early lead in the second Open, needed just 1 hour and Tribune News Network qiyah Baja and Al Ula-Neom tional Baja is running under set, moving ahead 3-1. An- 15 minutes to advance, 6-2, DAMMAM (SAUDI ARABIA) event in 2019 and the KTM the supervision of HRH Prince other superb return game gave 6-1. Wang, by contrast, fell to rider tops the motorcycle en- Khalid bin Sultan Al Abdullah Keys one more break, this time 2-6 in 2021. An impressive number of Sau- try. Local rivals include Anas Al Faisal, SAMF President and at love, for 5-1. di and GCC drivers and riders Al Ruhayani and Mohamed Al Chairman of the Organising Keys coolly served out the Results tackling the opening round Oraini, while the UAE’s Oth- Committee, and has attracted match with one more love Singles (1st Round) of the 2021 Saudi Toyota De- man Al Gefeli, Khalid Al Falasi support from official partner game, firing an ace to win her J. Pegula bt Q. Wang 6-2, 6-1 sert Rally Championship have and Abdullah bin Dakhan will Abdul Latif Jameel Toyota 10th straight point. L Siegemund bt E Rybakina boosted the field for this week- be hoping to seal the win. and diamond sponsors MBC “If I’m serving well, things 7-6(7), 7-6 (5) end’s Sharqiyah International Bike action from Saudi Arabia. The event has also at- Group and Al-Arabiya outdoor are usually going well for me,” O Jabeur bt A Blinkova 6-2, 6-2 Baja in the Eastern Province. tracted a trio of Qatari rid- advertising. said Keys, who won 83 percent K Pliskova bt A Pavlyuchenkova In addition to hosting the the Middle East and the im- four-wheel drive vehicles in ers - Sheikh Mohammed Al Modon, the Saudi Author- of her first-service points. 6-2, 6-3 opening round of the 2021 FIA pressive number of entries in the T1 category, but the T2, T3 Thani, Mohammed Al Kaabi ity for Industrial Cities and “I think it’s a really impor- M Keys bt B Bencic 6-4, 6-1 World Cup for Cross-Country national events is an encour- and T4 sections are also well and Jamal Al Qetiti - New Zea- Technology Zones, is also pro- tant part of my game, some- M Doi bt S Zheng 6-4, 6-3. Bajas, the Saudi Automobile aging sign for the sport’s glow- supported. Khaled Al Sham- land’s Philip Wilson, Italy’s viding logistical support. and Motorcycle Federation ing future in the region. meri, Raed Al Shammeri and Mauro Torrini and Bahrain’s On Wednesday, competi- (SAMF) is running a National Al Mashna Al Shammeri Majed Al Thunayyan are just Abdulaziz Al Khalifa. tors pass their mandatory ad- Wednesday Order of Play Rally behind the FIA event heads the National field in his three of the 10 drivers taking Abdulmajeed Al Khulaifi ministration and scrutineering CENTRE COURT starts at 2:30 PM After suitable rest B. mattek-Sands (USA) / J. Pegula and a category for motorcycles Nissan Patrol and faces compe- part in the T2 section for se- has been the most successful checks before the pre-event [Q] L. Siegemund (GER) vs [WC] [8] V. Azarenka (BLR) (USA) vs [2] N. Melichar (USA) / D. Schuurs (NED) A. Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) vs [4] P. Kvitova (CZE) and quads. tition from a Saudi-dominated ries production cross-country quad rider in recent events in press conference and the cer- [1] E. Svitolina (UKR) vs [LL] M. Doi (JPN) COURT B starts at 2:30 PM Forty-three cars and one entry including the likes of for- vehicles. Saudi Arabia and the Yamaha emonial start take centre stage Not Before 6PM [1] B. Krejcikova (CZE) / K. Siniakova (CZE) vs K. truck will tackle the National mer Hail Rally winner Faris Al Abdullah Al Shegawi, Raptor rider will be hoping at Modon Lake Park in Dam- [3] A. Sabalenka (BLR) vs G. Muguruza (ESP) Bertens (NED) / L. Pattinama Kerkhove (NED) Rally and, subject to pre-event Mashna, Muneef and Salman Mishal Al Obaidan and Saad to repeat his 2019 win at the mam Industrial City from O. Jabeur (TUN) vs [2] Ka. Pliskova (CZE) NB 4:00 PM A. Klepac (SLO) / S. Mirza (IND) vs L. COURT A starts at 2:30 PM Hradecka (CZE) / Kr. Pliskova (CZE) OR [4] A. Blinkova technical checks, they will be Al Shammeri, Abdullah Al Qa- Al Abaad will battle for hon- Sharqiyah Baja. 16.00hrs onwards. Timed A. Kontaveit (EST) vs A. Kerber (GER) (RUS) / G. Dabrowski (CAN) joined by 32 motorcycles and noon and Ahmed Al Malki. ours in the T3 section, while The six-time winner of action gets underway with [WC] J. Ostapenko (LAT) vs [Q] J. Pegula (USA) After suitable rest M. Niculescu (ROU) / J. Ostapenko 14 quads. Desert rallying is one The majority of the field Shaker and Khalil Al Tuwaijri the quad category at the Hail a timed 10km super special M. Sakkari (GRE) vs M. Keys (USA) (LAT) vs [WC] L. Siegemund (GER) / E. Vesnina (RUS) of the fastest growing sports in will drive Toyota and Nissan head the T3 category in their International Rally faces chal- stage on Thursday. Al Shaqab set QatarTribune Qatar_Tribune for Longines QatarTribuneChannel qatar_tribune Global Champions Tour 2021 Doha start page 14

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 3, 2021 Jabeur begins with a bang, says she’s ready for Pliskova challenge

Vinay Nayudu challenge, however, is up next help. But I’m confident that Doha on Wednesday in the lean and Tunisian Ons Jabeur during her opening hopefully tomorrow will help tall Pliskova, who lifted the round match of Qatar Total Open 2021 me and find my rhythm, be- Local favourite Ons Jabeur Falcon trophy in 2016 defeat- I’ve always wanted to against Russian Anna Blinkova at Khalifa cause I think I will really need made a winning start to her ing Dane Caroline Wozniacki win here in Doha. Now, International Tennis & Squash Complex in my service game,” said Jabeur. Qatar Total Open 2021 cam- in the final. Doha on Tuesday. Jabeur won 6-2, 6-2. She also feels that she now paign with a swift 6-2, 6-2 But that doesn’t deter I feel like I have the has what it takes to go the dis- demolition of Russian Anna Jabeur. “Honestly, I think all level to compete in tance and is aiming higher. Blinkova at the Khalifa In- players are tough. They all are quarters, the semi- “Last year I was actually look- ternational Tennis & Squash hungry to win in here, in this ing for a win because I’ve al- Complex on Tuesday. tournament. It’s a small draw, finals. I know, I can go ways wanted to win here in The 26-year-old Tunisian, so everyone is playing really far in this tournament. Doha but it didn’t happen be- who thrilled the crowds here in good. Anna was playing really fore. Now, I feel like I have the 2020 by reaching the quarter- good. She qualified. She had Ons Jabeur level to compete in quarters, finals, blanked Blinkova in one more matches than me, so it the semi-finals. I know, I can go hour and eight minutes to set was a tricky match. I’m glad far as I can in this tournament. up a rematch against the No.2 that I handled it really well to- ing to be a tricky match,” she “I feel like I could really seed and former Doha cham- day,” she said. stressed. handle much better the stress pion Czech Karolina Pliskova, Looking ahead, she added: While the enthusiasm is and especially on tough mo- whom she defeated in the “Of course tomorrow’s go- intact, Jabeur still hasn’t got ments. So honestly, whatever third round here last year. ing to be a different match – her serve going as she’d like happens tomorrow, I feel real- Jabeur brings a lot of ener- very difficult one. Just gonna and will need to get it right ly good about myself,” she said. gy and panache with her when prepare for a very hard chal- more often than not against Last year this time, Jabeur she’s on the court and it’s a de- lenge. I’m ready. I want to play a great server in Pliskova. “I was riding the crest of a wave light for the fans in Doha. my game. Like, I want to win honestly thought I was serving with her exploits. The 5’6” high player is again here like last year. It’s a little bit better in Australia Her Australian odyssey proudly referred to as pride of going to be like a very tricky and maybe in Abu Dhabi, but made the Tunisian President Arab world since her super ex- match. I’m sure she’s gonna especially in Australia. I was describe her as “an example ploits at the Australian Open come on court really hungry to trying like sometimes even for women and young people”. last year where she became the win, wants her revenge. But I like in the tough points I win Even more he gave her a first Arab woman to make the will be ready for that.” with my serve. In this tourna- huge tribute saying, “Every quarter-finals of a major. Jabeur is also sure of the ment, I’m really not finding swing of her racquet honours Now, back in Doha, the conditions on court, which my rhythm in the serve, but the Tunisian flag.” Qatar Airways-backed player in Doha can change quickly. I’m trying to get into that. Surely she would want to is looking to weave more mag- “These conditions this year “The balls are different, make not just the Tunisians in ic with an aim to go further in are really different than at the kind of heavy. Also, it’s a lit- Qatar but all proud in the 19th this tournament. The first big other year, so honestly it’s go- tle bit windy so doesn’t really edition of Qatar Total Open.