Germany’s QatarTribune Qatar_Tribune Ovtcharov, QatarTribuneChannel qatar_tribune Japan’s Mima win WTT Doha Contender titles PAGE 14 SUNDAY, MARCH 7, 2021 Nasser Al Khelaifi praises great success of Qatar Total Open 2021 QNA Al Khelaifi considered that DOHA the technical success of the current edition of the tourna- THE President of the Qatar ment coincides with the or- Tennis, Squash and Badminton ganisational success in light of Federation Nasser Al Khelaifi the great efforts made by the praised the success of Qatar organizing committees despite Total Open year after year, con- the great challenges posed by sidering that as a natural result the COVID-19 pandemic, as well of the unlimited support from as providing all the factors that the wise leadership for sports contribute to the success of and athletes. the event in a manner befitting Al Khelaifi said, in a press the global position of Qatar in statement, that the competi- organising sporting events. tion, in the 19th edition of At the end of his state- which is currently being held ment, Al Khelaifi valued the at the Khalifa International efforts made by the medical Tennis and Squash Complex, staff in light of the great work is witnessing very high levels being done to preserve the of competition with some of safety of everyone in the face the most prominent players in of the pandemic. the world. He pointed to the com- He added that the tourna- mitment of the organizing ment’s competitions this year committee to take all precau- were strong and exciting since tionary measures to ensure their first rounds, and then safety, whether for players, the level increased further in technical staff or workers, the quarter-final and semi- as well as the fans and all final rounds. participants in the event. HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, President, Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC), Nasser Al Khelaifi, President, Qatar Tennis, Badminton & Squash Federation, and Matthieu Bouyer, MD, Director of Qatar Qatar Total, with Qatar Total Open 2021 winner Petra Kvitova and runners-up Garbine Muguruza at the Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex on Saturday. Total Open applauds organizational success of the event Kvitova claims Falcon QNA various sporting events. DOHA He said this distinguished edition achieved great suc- trophy a second time The Director of Qatar Total cess despite it being held with Open Saad Al Mohannadi all the challenges due to the confirmed that the global coronavirus TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK But Muguruza was unable to build on either open- 19th edition of the pandemic. DOHA ing. Consecutive double faults handed the break back tournament was He also immediately in the second set, and overall the former strong and distinc- pointed out that TWICE Grand Slam champion, and now a twice win- World No.1’s performance was too riddled with mis- tive in light of the the Supreme ner in Doha, Czech Petra Kvitova needed a little over an takes as her unforced error tally mounted to 27. This fierce competition Organizing Com- hour to humble Spaniard Garbine Muguruza 6-2, 6-1 was particularly evident on her backhand wing, usually between all the mittee was keen in the $565,530 Qatar Total Open 2021 final and hoist Muguruza’s stronger weapon, which repeatedly dipped players in different to implement the beautiful Falcon Trophy at the Khalifa International just long or wide. stages, which saw health and pre- Tennis & Squash Complex on Saturday. Conversely, Kvitova would go from strength to Petra Kvitova of Qatar Total Open 2021 ventive measures HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, President, strength after successfully navigating the danger zone. the Czech Repub- Director Sadd Al Mohannadi. to ensure the Qatar Olympic Committee, crowned Kvitova as the The two-time Wimbledon champion’s strategy in gusty lic emerge as the organization of a champion of the 19th edition of the Qatar Total Open. conditions was more effective, clubbing the ball through champion on Saturday. tournament that ensured the It was also the 28th career title for the fourth seeded the middle and handcuffing Muguruza with depth and Al Mohannadi said that safety of all participants in the Kvitova, who incidentally had beaten Muguruza for the pace rather than going for lines. Kvitova was also able the tournament witnessed event. title in 2018 final too. to up her focus when she needed to, saving six out of great organizational success Al Mohannadi thanked and A thrilled Kvitova, later said this victory was more seven break points. in light of the efforts made to saluted all those who contrib- pleasing and refreshing. “It is different, for sure. I mean, As the finishing line hoved into view, Kvitova produce it in a manner that uted to the success of this that year (2018) it was very tiring. I was very exhausted. stepped on the pedal with more spectacular tennis, befits Qatar’s global standing edition and brought it out in I was coming from St. Petersburg playing the Fed Cup, conjuring up a pair of breathtaking winners after seem- and reputation in organizing such a wonderful way. playing Doha, and I remember the semifinal and final Petra Kvitova of Czech Republic, with the Falcon Trophy ingly being out of the point as she reeled off the last six was just unbelievably tough. besides her, speaks to the media online at the Khalifa games of the match. Both players were seeking to snap “I played pretty long, beating Caroline in the third International Tennis & Squash Complex on Saturday. an uncharacteristic title drought. Kvitova had not won set and same, Garbine in the final. This one is a little bit a tournament since Stuttgart 2019, and had lost three different, I would say, but I’m still tired, of course,” she er and that we had another great final and great match of her last four finals - including in Doha last year to said while speaking to the media virtually.. again,” said Kvitova. Aryna Sabalenka. But Saturday’s result reaffirms Kvito- “But it feels different, because today the conditions Three years ago, the Czech had needed two hours va’s overall dominance in title matches, with her career were very, very tough compared to that year I didn’t and 16 minutes to down Muguruza in a 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 record in them now 28-10. find it that windy, so it was more smoother, I would thriller and claim her first Doha trophy. This time Muguruza, meanwhile, is enjoying one of the most say,” she added. around, Kvitova struck 11 winners to 18 unforced errors consistent stretches of her career. The two-time major Kvitova was also all full of respect for Muguruza. for a victory that clocked in at a more comfortable time champion has won at least two matches in 11 of her “Well, of course she’s a champion. She is a two-time of 66 minutes. The result also extends Kvitova’s domi- past 12 tournaments, dating back to the start of 2020. Grand Slam champion, World No. 1, former. And defi- nance in her rivalry with Muguruza to 5-1, including the This week marked her third final in that span, and sec- nitely she deserves the respect. She’s a big player and last five meetings. ond of this season already following February’s Yarra big champion, anyway. Muguruza’s opportunities were minimal, and Valley Classic. “We’ve met many times already. I think we know came at the start of each set. The Spaniard garnered The loss, though, means that Muguruza is still seek- each other pretty long from the tour, and it’s just very the first break points of the first set inthe third game, ing her first trophy since Monterrey 2019, and the last natural. So I’m really glad how the relationship is and and captured the Kvitova serve for the only time to time she was victorious at 500/Premier level or higher QTO 2021 Open winner and runner-up with their trophies. that we, you know, are showing the respect to each oth- kick off the second set. was in winning Cincinnati 2017. (INPUTS WTA) Federer arrives in Doha, to face early test in Qatar ExxonMobil Open Federer will be making his first draw by fifth seed Roberto Bautista Thiem, Rublev feature in same half of the draw appearance in Doha since 2012. Agut, in-form Kazakhstani Alexan- The Swiss owns a 26-3 record at the der Bublik and Reilly Opelka. TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK I’m not at the finish line yet but it’s ATP 250, highlighted by title runs Defending champion Andrey DOHA good, I feel I’m in a good place, I’ve in 2005, 2006 and 2011. If he can Rublev could meet a fellow Doha been practicing very well and I just overcome Chardy or Evans in his titlist in his first match. The Rus- ROGER Federer will face an imme- feel really pumped up.” first match, he could face eighth sian will face 2013 winner Richard diate challenge at the Qatar Exxon- The 39-year-old after nearly seed Borna Coric in the quarter-fi- Gasquet or a qualifier in his tourna- Mobil Open in Doha, his first event nine years returns to participate in nals. Coric also has form on his side. ment opener. since the 2020 Australian Open. the Qatar ExxonMobil Open. The The Croat has claimed three Rublev headlines the second The Swiss maestro arrived in last time he played here in 2021, straight-sets wins en route to the quarter of the draw with 2008 Doha on Saturday for the March he had to withdraw before facing ABN AMRO World Tennis Tour- runner-up and seventh seed Stan 8-13 event which will be held at the Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in nament semi-finals in Rotterdam Wawrinka.