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SPORT & LEISURE - TENNIS
Rafael Nadal claims Capitala World Tennis Championship title
posted on 03/01/2010
 The Spanish flag was up and flying again on Saturday barely a fortnight after Barcelona created history in the capital. This time it flew for Rafael Nadal, the world's number two tennis player, who won the second edition of the Capitala World Tennis Championship on Saturday.
The Spanish ace beat Robin Soderling of Sweden 7-6 (3), 7-5 to carry away the prize of US$250,000 at the end of a two-hour battle.
A fortnight ago, it was Barcelona who won the Fifa Club World Cup in front of over 40,000 fans and the Abu Dhabi Tennis Complex, a few hundred metres away, witnessed the
Real Madrid fan Nadal improved on his runner-up position last year when he lost to Andy Murray.
World No 1 Roger Federer beat Nadal's Davis Cup teammate David Ferrer in the play-off for third place.
"It is great to start off the year with this win," said Nadal, who went from here last year to win the year's first Grand Slam, the Australian Open. "I hope I will do well but this start is very important. I feel like I have started well," said Nadal.
"I am happy the way I feel, in fact it is the best in the last six months. I enjoyed every bit here, coming here to Abu Dhabi for the second time. It has been perfect. Thank you!," Nadal told the crowd after receiving the Capitala Trophy from Mohammad Al Mahmoud, General Secretary of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council.
Both Nadal and Soderling, who beat Federer in the semi-finals, were strong on their serves and the first set was decided in the tie-breaker where Nadal showed more consistency.
After breaking each other once in the second set, Soderling survived a match-point when he was serving at 4-5.
Winning that game, the Swede was again pushed to the backfoot, trailing 0-30, before trying to come back with an ace. He, however, lost the next point and match to his superior rival.
Despite his defeat, Soderling said he hoped to continue from where he left off last season. "I have had the best preparation here for the season and I hope I can extend that to the season," said the Swede, who broke into the top 10 after a string of victories late last year.
"This is a great event and nice to see so much of support. Today, Nadal handled the windy conditions very well," he added. – Gulf News
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Davydenko to face Ferrer in capital
posted on 31/12/2009
 The spotlight will once again be on Abu Dhabi which will be signing off 2009 the way it started it — with a world class sporting event.
Spain's Davis Cup hero David Ferrer will take on Russian ace Nikolay Davydenko in today's opening match of the US$250,000 (Dh917,500) winner-takes-all Capitala World Tennis Championship, bringing the curtain down on a milestone year for Abu Dhabi.
The highlights of 2009 were the Formula One Abu Dhabi Grand Prix followed by the Fifa Club World Cup but the Capitala Tennis Championship will ensure that 2010 is also ushered in with a bang as fans around the planet will watch world No 1 Roger Federer and world No 2 Rafael Nadal in action on New Year's Day.
With four of the world's top ten playing here, this event has, after the inaugural edition's tremendous success, gained hugely in status as it gives an early pointer to form ahead of the ATP Series worldwide.
Ranked seven in the world, Davydenko finished off with a superb win in the year-ending Barclays ATP World Tour Finals in London and will be starting off as the favourite to win today against Ferrer.
The Russian, who lost to Nadal in the semi-finals here in the first edition, is hoping to carry the form that gave him a lot of success in the second half of 2009.
"Winning the year-end title is certainly a confidence builder. I think I played some of my best tennis during the second half of the season, and hopefully I can carry that success into the start of 2010," he said.
Davydenko will be using the Capitala event to prepare for the Qatar Open in Doha and a win today will set-up a rematch with Nadal and a chance to avenge his loss year.
However, waiting to spoil those plans of Davydenko is the Spanish ace Ferrer, who was at the heart of yet another Davis Cup triumph by Spain.
With Abu Dhabi still nursing the hangover of Spanish giants FC Barcelona winning the Club World Cup less than a fortnight ago, Barca fan Ferrer will be aiming to make it an all-Spain semi-final tomorrow by winning against Davydenko Thursday.
"Davydenko is always a tough opponent, particularly considering how well he has been playing lately, and I'm looking forward to playing him again," said Ferrer. – Gulf News
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Capitala World Tennis Championship to kick off Thursday
posted on 29/12/2009
 With only days to go until the second Capitala World Tennis Championship returns to Abu Dhabi, the finishing touches have been made to the world-class stadium where all the action will take place. The recently repaved court at the Abu Dhabi International Tennis Complex is ready to host six of the world's top players in Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Nikolay Davydenko, Robin Soderling, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Stanislas Wawrinka for three days of spectacular tennis.
The court is paved with Plexipave, the same surface used at the Australian Open, which will provide the players with the perfect build- up for the season's first Grand Slam in Melbourne in January. As well as all the action on court, the Tennis Village is gearing up to provide a host of entertainment for all the family, including a Speed Serve Challenge, Batak machine, player autograph signings, tennis clinics and some great give-aways. The village is open from 10:00am daily and free to non-ticket holders.
The Capitala World Tennis Championship will be held from 31st December 2009 - 2nd January 2010 at the Abu Dhabi International Tennis Complex, Zayed Sports City. - Emirates News Agency, WAM
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Venus beats Razzano to win Dubai title
posted on 22/02/2009
 She said she had a bad week but got lucky in the end. Venus Williams of the US of A outclassed Virginie Razzano in straight sets to emerge champion in the Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships here on Saturday.
This is Williams 40th singles career titles and seventh victory in her last eight final appearances. The Wimbledon champion, though was not in the peak of form on a cool Saturday evening. But her performance was adequate enough to defeat her determined, courageous French opponent 6-4 6-2 for her first title triumph in three attempts.
Razzano, ranked way lower than Venus, showed lot of promises as the match began at the Aviation Club's centre court. Displaying the right temperament, the French girl held on to her serve well and did not give Williams any room or chance to
dominate the contest.
Halfway through the first set, Razzano had to call for a physio after complaining of a back spasm that saw the game stopped for a brief while. Despite the treatment she seemed to be in serious pain and her game stuttered. From then on she was not at her best. Latching on to the opportunity, Williams broke her in the 10th game to win the first set.
The start of the second set went very much on the expected lines as Williams took an immediate 4-0 lead and was cruising smoothly towards victory. Razzano did provide a brief resistance but only could delay the inevitable before succumbing after an hour and 36 minutes of good tennis.
Princess Haya bint Al Hussein, wife of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, gave away the trophies. Williams received a cheque for US$3,50,000 while the runner-up got US$1,75,000.
Venus said: "It was a wonderful tournament. I really enjoyed playing here. I thank God for letting me come here and to stay healthy.” Earlier in the evening Carla Black and Leizel Huber, the world's best doubles players, outplayed Maria Kirilenko and Agnieszka Radwanska 6-3 6-3 to win the doubles event for the third time in a row. – Khaleej Times
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All-star cast set to sparkle at WTA and ATP tournaments next month
posted on 11/01/2009
 A10 out of the top 10 women's players in the world will grace the court at the Dubai Tennis Stadium when the Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships gets underway on February 15th, organisers said yesterday.
They said at least six of the top 10 men's players will be in action for the ATP tournament at the same venue the following week.
This extraordinary line-up will include both men's and women's defending champions, Andy Roddick and Elena Demetieva, as well as crowd favourites Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and the ever-popular Maria Sharapova and Ana Ivanovic.
"To have all of the top 10 women and six of the top 10 men confirmed for the Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships 2009 is a remarkable and unprecedented achievement", said Colm McLoughlin, Managing Director of tournament owners and organisers Dubai Duty Free.
Play at the Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships, which is held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, begins on Sunday, February 15th 2009 with the WTA Tour event and continues with the ATP tournament from Monday, February 23rd - 28th. – Emirates News Agency, WAM
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Murray triumphs in Capitala thriller
posted on 04/01/2009
 Andy Murray, the young Scotsman, claimed a thrilling victory over the world No 1 Rafael Nadal in the final of the Capitala World Tennis Championship last night. Murray won a hard-fought match lasting two hours and 45 minutes at the Zayed Sports City Stadium.
The match brought to a close three days of top-quality tennis, played in front of a 5,000-strong capacity crowd, which left a worldwide television audience in no doubt that the UAE capital is now on the tennis map.
An exhausted Murray, who won the final 6-4, 5-7, 6-3, praised the crowd for giving him a memorable first visit to Abu Dhabi. "The atmosphere over the last three days has been really amazing,” he said. "It's been so much fun to come here.”
All six players who were invited to the USUS$250,000 (Dh918,260), winner-takes-all showpiece said they were enthralled by their first visit to the capital. Their views were best summed up by Roger Federer, the Swiss player, who spends much of his spare time at his Dubai residence but until now had never been to Abu Dhabi.
Federer, who dominated world tennis for more than four years before being deposed as the top-ranked player by Nadal last summer, said: "I wanted the tournament to be my first impression of Abu Dhabi. It has been a great experience.
"The weather here is always perfect and the people are very friendly. I hope I am invited back next year. If I am I will certainly accept. It is a terrific way to start a new year, even though I lost the only match I played here. That's a pity but it didn't spoil things for me.” The match was attended by senior members of the Abu Dhabi Government. Peter Wilding, the deputy CEO of title sponsor Capitala, was delighted with the successful launch of what the developer intends to be an annual event.
"One of our aims has been to encourage more people, particularly schoolchildren and young adults, to participate actively in this game as well as other sports. With the success of initiatives such as the Capitala Community Cup and tennis clinics, we believe that we have made real progress in starting this journey with the people of Abu Dhabi,” he said.
John Lickrish, the managing director of the tournament organisers, Flash, said: "The Abu Dhabi World Tennis Championship is without doubt one of our most exciting initiatives to date. As the first international tennis event in Abu Dhabi, it is a key part of the city's emergence as a sport and leisure destination.” – The National
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Capitala World Tennis Championship in Abu Dhabi
posted on 13/12/2008
 The first service of the world's eight seeded player Andy Roddick or his opponent the fifth seeded Nikolay Davydenko will inaugurate the first international tennis championship in Abu Dhabi on the first day of the new year.
Preparations are in full swing to set up the Capitala World Tennis Championship in the capital of UAE, a three-day event at the Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi, from 1-3 January 2009.
Peter Wilding, deputy CEO at Capitala said that the tournament plays host to six of the world's best male players and will see the likes of Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Andy Murray, Nikolay Davydenko, Andy Roddick and James Blake all competing for glory.
'To have some of the world's finest tennis players competing right here in the capital is an exciting milestone for Abu Dhabi and we absolutely need the unwavering support of the local community if we intend to leave a lasting legacy beyond the tournament', said Peter Wilding. – Emirates News Agency, WAM
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Abu Dhabi to bid for WTA event
posted on 29/06/2008
 The Women's Tennis Association has confirmed that they have opened negotiations with Abu Dhabi Sports Council about staging a major tournament in the capital.
They emphasise, however, that no official bid has yet been made, meaning an event will not take place until 2010 at the earliest.
Andrew Walker, the communications vice president of the WTA, said: "We are in discussions with the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, who have expressed a strong interest in joining the Tour, though no formal application has been made as of yet.
"We expect to have further discussions with them before a formal application is submitted. Practically speaking, with the Tour having finalised its 2009 calendar already, the earliest that an event could be on the calendar would be 2010.”
Asked whether the tournament would become part of a "desert swing” supplementing the events in Doha and Dubai in February, Walker responded: "We are not in a position to speculate on possible dates for a tournament in Abu Dhabi if they were to submit an application for an event.”
The WTA appear to be reacting favourably to any interest from the capital because, said Walker that "the Middle East is a very important growth market for women's tennis”.
He added: "The Tour's events in Dubai and Doha have proven that the sport is very popular in the region and that promoters in the region know how to operate world-class sporting events. Abu Dhabi has a fantastic reputation and track record in staging global sporting events and we believe that it has all the possibilities to be a great home for a professional women's tennis event.”
Mohammad al Mahmoud, the general secretary of Abu Dhabi Sports Council, disclosed two months ago that his organisation is serious about staging a world- class tennis event.
The intention is to start with a women's tournament and then approach the Association of Tennis Professionals about adding a men's event. Mahmoud said at the time: "It will happen – I am sure of that. We will end up with both. Whenever we feel that there is an international world class tournament available, in any sport, we will bid for it.”
A bid for tennis tournaments was an integral part of the sports council's five-year strategic document, which was published earlier this month.
Sports council officials were prime movers in persuading Fifa to stage their Club World Cup football tournament in the capital in 2009 and 2010 and Formula One management to add Abu Dhabi to the list of grand prix venues with the inaugural race at Yas Island provisionally scheduled for Nov 15 next year.
They also brought European Tour golf to Abu Dhabi's National course in 2006 and that event, which makes up a "desert swing” with Doha and Dubai, has rapidly become established as one of the most popular among the world's leading professionals. –The National
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Men's event back with a bang
posted on 03/03/2008
 The men's tournament of the Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships will get under way today, and the focus will be on the feature match between defending champion and world No 1 Roger Federer and British sensation Andy Murray. Federer - who has won this event on four previous occasions in 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2007 - was drawn to play Dubai debutant Murray in the first round at the official draw held on Saturday. Federer's four titles is a record for this event and he will be more than eager to add a fifth crown, provided he can get past a quality field that also includes the likes of world No 2 Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, French youngster Richard Gasquet and another debutant, Andy Roddick of America.
The Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships is held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. – Gulf News
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Serena to chase elusive Dubai title
posted on 13/02/2008
 Been there, done that. That's how one can possibly qualify Serena Williams. The American has spent 57 weeks as the number one player in the world and amassed an impressive 28 singles titles, including eight Grand Slams. But there is a gap in her portfolio: she has not yet won the Dubai Tennis Championships. In her previous appearance in 2005, she reached the semi-finals, but then had to retire against Jelena Jankovic with an injury. Now she's returning to Dubai to make a second attempt to claim that elusive title.
"I do remember I had a splendid time and the fun I had off the court - going to the Gold Souk and Wild Wadi and just hanging out," said Williams. Since returning from a frustrating series of injuries, Serena has climbed back towards the top of the tree, beginning 2007 ranked 94 before rising to five by the year-end.
Victory at the 2007 Australian Open was followed by a title in Miami with victory in the final over world number one Justine Henin, quarterfinals at the French and US Opens and Wimbledon, and a final in Moscow. It is to her credit that the younger of the Williams sisters is a top contender for the title wherever she plays, because she is able to stay in top shape despite a myriad of off-court pursuits. – Gulf News
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