Halep looks to shoot down rising star Pliskova
Top seed Simona Halep will play rising star Karolina Pliskova in the final of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships on Saturday.
Halep turned around her match after dropping the opening set and defeated former champion Caroline Wozniacki 2-6 6-1 6-1, while Pliskova came through a marathon that lasted just seven minutes under three hours with a 6-4 5-7 7-5 victory over Garbine Muguruza.
Federer launches Chinese New Year celebrations at Burj Al Arab
Tennis beauties dress up for Dubai Open gala
Agnieszka Radwanska and Caroline Wozniacki both struggled to win their opening matches.
Radwanska survived a sickness scare to defeat Caroline Garcia 6-3 2-6 6-3, and Wozniacki eventually overcame a resilient Samantha Stosur 4-6 6-1 7-5 after receiving treatment for a knee ailment.
Venus Williams shines in Dubai opener; Hantuchova hot
Venus Williams began the defence of her Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships title on Monday with a dominating performance that earned her a 6-1 6-2 victory over Swiss teenager Belinda Bencic.
Daniela Hantuchova followed up her Sunday tournament victory in Pattaya with a battling 7-6(5) 3-6 6-3 victory over Mona Barthel.
Alize Cornet claimed a dramatic 6-0 6-7(6) 6-3 victory over Kirsten Flipkens on Sunday to reach the second round of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships.
Eighth seed Jelena Jankovic struggled before defeating qualifier Timea Babos 6-3 4-6 6-1.
Flavia Pennetta also came through a tough match, fighting off four match points to overcome a gallant challenge by former finalist Julia Goerges and win 2-6 7-6(3) 6-4.
Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova got a taste of Dubai history yesterday when she visited the Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Centre for Cultural Understanding (SMCCU) in the Al Fahidi district ahead of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Tournament this week.
Kvitova, the 2013 Dubai champion, met the Managing Director of the SMCCU Nasif Kayed, who shared some information about Emirati culture.
The Dubai Duty Free Tennis Tournament second seed said “Dubai is one of my favourite destinations for sure. I have won here, and have been here for vacation, so it’s always nice to come here. I feel well, I’ve had a good start to the year, I won a trophy already, so I will try to win another.
Petra also enjoyed traditional Arabic coffee and dates, “I like the dates, they’re very sweet. The Arabic coffee is different, I’m glad I tried it.”
Action in the WTA Tournament begins today, Sunday 15 February, and features defending champion Venus Williams, Petra Kvitova, French Open and WTA Finals runner-up Simona Halep, former Dubai winners Agnieszka Radwanska and Caroline Wozniacki, Brisbane runner-up Ana Ivanovic, Australian Open semi-finalist Ekaterina Makarova and recent Sydney semi-finalist Angelique Kerber. Tickets are still available for every day from the box office.