For the first time since 2001 – when Doha staged the first WTA Tour event – Qatar hosted two back-to-back premier tennis events within a space of two weeks. From March 1 to 6, the iconic Khalifa Tennis Complex welcomed world’s top players on the women’s circuit for the 32-player Qatar Total Open. Since its first edition held in 2001 when Swiss star Martina Hingis won the title, Doha has been a popular destination for WTA Tour famliy.
The amazing journey continued for the WTA Tour circuit last week when Czech Republic’s Petra Kvitova beat World No.16 Garbine Muguruza of Spain in the final of the six-day tournament. The 2021 final was a repeat clash in 2018 when Kvitova rallied from a set down to clinch her maiden Falcon Trophy but last week, she hardly broke a sweat posting 6-2, 6-1 victory in 66 minutes for her second title in the tournament.
With her 28th career title in the bag, Kvitova became only the fourth player in history to win the Qatar Total Open title twice. Anastasia Myskina (2003, 2004), Maria Sharapova (2005, 2008) and Victoria Azarenka (2012 and 2013) previously won the prestigious event on two occasions.
From March 8 to 13, the same venue switched gears and welcomed the ATP Tour family headlined by tennis icon Roger Federer of Switzerland. The 39-year-old regaled fans in two matches – first against feisty Dan Evans of Great Britain and then against Nikoloz Basilashvili of Georgia. Both matches went the distance of three sets and three-time winner in Qatar Federer – returning to tennis after more 405 days – was his usual self before losing to Basilashvili in the quarter-finals.
The Qatar ExxonMobil Open was eventually won by Nikoloz Basilashvili who beat Roberto Bautista Agut 7-6, 6-2 on the Centre Court. With fans also attending the matches of both events, the two-week tennis festival also proved to be big hit with fans around the world watching on television.
The participating players praised Qatar for putting together successful events even as a number of tournaments still remain cancelled on the ATP and WTA Tours. The tournament venue also staged the Australian Open qualifiers for men in January helping the tennis fraternity kick start a stalled calendar from the previous season.
“I want to congratulate the tournament’s organisers. We are always pleased to come to Qatar. For me, this tournament is one of my favourites. I always enjoy playing on this court and I hope to continue playing this tournament for long,” said Roberto Bautista Agut.
