10 December 2007

DUBAI — Top seed Maria Kirilenko of Russia plans to use the ninth $75,000 ITF Al Habtoor Tennis Challenge to prepare for the Australian Open scheduled for next year.

Kirilenko was once ranked 20th in the world but her ranking has plummeted lately. The 20-year-old Russian, speaking during a media conference to launch this year’s tournament at the Habtoor Grand Resort and Spa yesterday, said the challenge would help her preparations for the forthcoming season.

Kirilenko took a one month break but said she still wanted to win. “I want to do well in Australia to regain my former ranking,” she said. The top seeded player opens her campaign against wild card Aniko Kapros of Hungary in their first round match today.

Mohammed Al Marri, secretary general of the UAE Tennis Association, in his address, said the challenge was the first women’s tennis event in the Arab Gulf and had changed the image of women’s sport in the UAE. “For one week, the tournament is shown live on the television, and the print media also give it extensive coverage. It has helped our junior girls tennis team.”

Al Marri lauded Habtoor Hospitality for its effort to promote women’s tennis in the region. “Though there had been a few difficult times it has kept the tournament going for the past nine years. The association expresses its thanks to Al Habtoor Hospitality and all the sponsors for their support,” he said.

Rahim Abou Omar, CEO of Habtoor Hospitaliy, in his contribution, expressed delight for the popularity that the challenge had attained in a short time. He thanked all those who had played a role over the years to raise the level of the tournament. Omar then wished all the players the best of luck and a pleasant stay.

Hany Khafief, ITF referee and tournament supervisor, said this year’s event would be the toughest yet considering the quality of the line-up. Among the competitors are Serbia’s Ana Jovanovic, who finished the runner-up last year and Ekaterina Shulaeva of Canada, once ranked 14 in the world.

Neha Oberoi of the US is among three other players given wild cards. But Khafief said Oberoi, with her India origin, missed the main draw by two cuts. “We need somebody from Asia to compete in the tournament and despite Oberoi holding a US passport, we decided to give her a chance,” he said. Ana Lapushchenkova of Russia, according to Khafief, was recommended by Khalaf Al Habtoor. “She is very young and talented and he feels she could do something,” Khafief said.

The tournament is being sponsored by HSBC Bank, Pepsi, Johnson Diversery, Crystal Gallery, Dubai Sports Channel, Diamond Lease, AMC Advertising, Aqua Fina, Sleep Fine Mattress and Sofia Refrigeration and Desert Springs.

The media conference was also attended by Pehlaj Malhotra, Asim Shrivastava, both of HSBC and Mark Abi Diwan of Advertising and Marketing Consultants.

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