Tournament Info
Tier: International
Prize Money: $500,000
Surface: Hard
Director: Hernan Garza Echavar
Monterrey hosted a WTA event for the first time in 2009 at the Sierra Madre Tennis Club.
While Marion Bartoli was the inaugural winner of what is now known as the Abierto Monterrey Afirme, 2010, 2011 and 2013 champion Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova has been the tournament's dominant figure. In 2014, former World No.1 Ana Ivanovic was victorious.
The event attracted publicity during the 2012 staging when Serena Williams and Gisela Dulko delighted fans by rallying on an acrylic mini-tennis court that was floating on water at the Santa Lucía Riverwalk.
Monterrey is informally known as "the city of mountains" and is the capital city of México's northeastern state of Nuevo León. It is a base for many major international corporations and is México's second richest city.
Good friends Timea Bacsinszky and WTA Rising Star Caroline Garcia will square off for the first time in the final of the Abierto Mexicano TELCEL on Saturday night
"I'm really sorry to have to withdraw from the tournament," a disappointed Sharapova said in a statement to media. "I had a great start to the event and was hoping I could recover in time for tonight's match but unfortunately it was not enough time.
I want to thank the tournament for organizing such a great event and most importantly the fans who were so passionate during all my matches."
Caroline Garcia, the No.3 seed, advanced to the final via walkover against the No.1-seeded Sharapova. Garcia, one of the leading WTA Rising Stars, is now through to the second WTA final of her career - she won another International-level event on the clay courts of Bogotá last year.
"It's really sad when your opponent has to withdraw. I hope she'll feel better soon and I wish her all the best," Garcia said. "But I'm happy to be in the final. I always like playing in Acapulco - I've done all my best results in Latin America so I hope they'll have more WTA tournaments here in the future!"
A break for Safarova in the first game of the match set the tone, as she rode that break to a 3-1 lead, and after eventually taking the first set, 6-4, she built another 3-1 lead in the second set.
From there there was no stopping the Czech, who served impeccably in the match - she hit seven aces in eight service games, including three in a row at one point - and she wrapped the victory up, 6-4, 6-3.
The Qatar Total Open is Safarova's sixth WTA title but by far the biggest of them all, being at the Premier level.
Her first five WTA titles were all at the International level, namely Oeiras and Forest Hills in 2005, Gold Coast in 2006, Forest Hills again in 2008 and most recently Québec City in 2013.
There's more good news for Safarova - she will rise from No.15 to No.11 on the new WTA Rankings after this, a new career-high - coming into this week her career-high WTA Ranking was No.14.
Azarenka was on a 14-match winning streak at this tournament, having won the title in her last two appearances in 2012 and 2013 (she had to sit out the 2014 tournament due to a foot injury).
Azarenka was playing her first WTA final since last January, though.
"It's been a long week for me. It's been a while since I had that many matches in a row," Azarenka said.
Ana has touched down in Mexico for the defence of her Abierto Monterrey Afirme title.
The 27-year-old captured the crown last season by beating compatriot Jovana Jaksic 6-2, 6-1 in the first ever all-Serbian WTA final. Ana felled third seed Caroline Wozniacki in the semi-finals. This time around she is the top seed - last year she was seeded second - and will face competition from the likes of world No.7 Eugenie Bouchard, 12th-ranked Sara Errani and rising Frenchwoman Caroline Garcia.
"It feels great to be back in Mexico," said Ana.
"This is a fantastic tournament: the location by the mountains is beautiful and the organization is so good." "I'm very proud to have won the title last year. It wasn't easy, I remember a few very tough matches, especially in the first round - it could have been very different!"
"I love the Mexican way of life. The laid-back mentality here really suits me. I can relax here, and hopefully I'll be able to play some of my best tennis again.
" Ana is expected to play her first round match on Tuesday. The draw will be made on Saturday.
I'm loving this new berlei sports bra!!!
In the previous round, Safarova was imperious against Andrea Petkovic and maintained this level against Suárez Navarro, running out a 6-3, 6-2 winner in an hour and 17 minutes.
On a blustery day, it was Safarova that settled quicker, coming out on top in a punishing 19-shot exchange to capture the first break. While she was unable to hang onto this advantage for long, she struck again in the eighth game before calmly serving out the set to love.
Safarova continued to find her spots in the second, a backhand winner helping her to another early break. Down the other end, Suárez Navarro, who had lost their two previous meetings in straight sets, continued to toil in the wind dropping serve for a second time as she slipped quietly towards the exit door.
"It's so exciting! It's my first final this year, and I've been playing so well in all my matches, so I'm really, really happy," Safarova said.
After an up and down start to the season, Safarova has now won eight of her last 10 matches. The turnaround, which will be rewarded by a career-high ranking on Monday morning, comes as no surprise to the Czech: "It wasn't a struggle at the start of the year. I lost a couple of close matches - it happens sometimes. But I worked really hard in the off season and I my level has been going up, so I'm enjoying playing."
Things looked dicey midway through the match for Sharapova - she originally led 6-1, 2-2, seemingly on the way to a routine victory, before Rybarikova won five of the next seven games to take the second set and take a 1-0 lead in the third. But the No.1-seeded Sharapova regrouped just in time, winning six of the next seven games to close the match out in two hours and 13 minutes, 6-1, 4-6, 6-2.
Sharapova has now made the semifinals or better at 17 of the 19 International-level events she's played in her career, the only pre-semifinal losses coming at Tokyo [Japan Open] in 2002 (losing to Emmanuelle Gagliardi first round) and Auckland in 2011 (losing to Greta Arn in the quarterfinals).
All white everything
#SunDay #Mama
Sharapova was asked about the atmosphere on the court and the strong fan support she had.
"I really enjoyed the atmosphere," she said. "When the crowd gets into the match and they're being supportive of both players it's extremely important to feed off their energy, because as athletes I think we always perform better when we feel the atmosphere from the music and people cheering.
"I think having that kind of atmosphere out there really helps us lift our games.
"
Sharapova is playing the 19th International-level event of her career, and she has now reached the quarterfinals or better at 18 of them. The only pre-quarterfinal loss? It came at Tokyo [Japan Open] in 2002, her first year on the tour.
She lost in the first round to Emmanuelle Gagliardi that week.
Standing between Sharapova and the semifinals will be Magdalena Rybarikova, who put together one of the best serving performances in recent memory - as well as some fantastic returning - to cruise past Elena Bogdan in 44 minutes, 6-0, 6-2.
Rybarikova lost just two points in seven service games - she won 28 of her 30 service points - and she broke the Romanian qualifier five times in the match.
Sharapova and Rybarikova will be playing against each other for the first time.
Exciting news! My cover for Net a Porter's "The EDIT" last August (photographed by Bjorn Looss) has received a 'Best Cover' nomination from the American Society of Magazine Editors (ASME)
HAPPY BIRTHDAY EUGENIE BOUCHARD!!!
THE ORIGINAL SELFIE
Today is the first time spectators get to see the top four singles seeds in action. It’s a reminder to the public that Petra Kvitova is the reigning Wimbledon champion.
The powerful left-hander also won Wimbledon in 2011.
In the same half of the draw is Russian Ekaterina Makarova, another left-hander who is currently ranked No.9 in the world and has a great record in Grand Slams of late – semifinals at the US Open and semis at this year’s Aussie Open.
Agnieszka Radwanska heads the bottom half of the draw and was a semifinalist in Doha last year. Radwanska is known for her tactical play, rather than her booming shots, but beware leaving her an opening on the court as she can certainly hit with power too.
At the bottom of the draw is yet another crowd favourite, Carole Wozniaki. The Danish player seems to have a lot of other things going on in her life aside form tennis – running the New York marathon, modeling among other things. However she still finds the time to ranked No.3 in the world as was a finalist at the US Open last year!
Serena Williams announced in a TIME Magazine exclusive that this year she would be making her long-awaited return to the BNP Paribas Open, a tournament she won twice in 1999 and 2001 but hasn't played since.
And as if her return to one of the biggest tournaments on the WTA calendar isn't exciting enough, there could be something in it for you, too - you could join Williams on her return to Indian Wells.
Williams is partnering with the Equal Justice Initiative, a private, nonprofit organization that provides legal representation to indigent defendants and prisoners who have been denied fair and just treatment in the legal system. Donate $10 or more to the cause and you'll be entered in a draw to become the World No.1's personal guest at the BNP Paribas Open - you will be flown to Indian Wells, stay at a luxury hotel, return one of her serves, sit courtside for her opening match and much, much more.
But the No.1-seeded Sharapova shifted gears in a big way from there, holding that game, breaking back for 3-all and eventually cruising the rest of the way to win in an hour and 14 minutes, 6-4, 6-1.
Sharapova finished the match particularly strong - she won the last seven points in a row.
"I've been in many different situations in my career, and when you're down, you have to change a few things and stay positive," Sharapova said. "You just have to concentrate on one point at a time instead of the bigger result, and as the match went on I definitely felt more and more comfortable out there.
"I felt really good and really happy to perform here in front of all the fans for the first time."
Sharapova was asked whether the slow start could have been from the new conditions, too.
"Your first match at a new tournament is never easy," Sharapova commented.
"You're getting used to all of the conditions, a new place and a new atmosphere. You're also adjusting your game a little bit.
The court here is quite different to the surfaces I've competed on so far this year, and the ball goes through the air because it's much warmer.
You can train in new conditions as many days as you want, but it's when you go out and play an actual match when the real adjustment comes into play.
Maria Sharapova enjoys her free time in Acapulco while in town for the Abierto Mexicano Telcel
Maria Sharapova enjoys her free time in Acapulco while in town for the Abierto Mexicano Telcel
Maria Sharapova enjoys her free time in Acapulco while in town for the Abierto Mexicano Telcel
Maria Sharapova enjoys her free time in Acapulco while in town for the Abierto Mexicano Telcel
Enjoying a tour of this beautiful city
#Mexico #Acapulco
Schmiedlova had never even been to the quarterfinals of a WTA event before this week, let alone a final, and she put up all kinds of resistance in a marathon 73-minute first set, holding set point on Errani's serve at 5-4 and, after missing out on that opportunity, pushing the set to a tie-break.
That's when the No.1-seeded Errani came alive, storming through that tie-break and then jumping out to a 4-0 lead in the second set, eventually closing out the No.6-seeded Schmiedlova, 7-6(2), 6-1.
"The first set was tough. We played more than an hour," Errani said.
"We were both fighting hard in that set - she was playing very well and not giving me anything, really. It was also the first time I played her so I needed some time to find my tactics. I was happy I managed to win that set, and in the second set things started going much more my way. I think I was just physically stronger in the end.
"Winning a title is always special. This tournament was great and I leave with only good memories."
"She was moving really well and she's a really great player," Schmiedlova said. "I played some very good tennis in the first set - the second set was worse, but I'm so happy I was in the final.
"This week gave me a lot of confidence. I hope it helps me in my next tournaments."
Errani came away with her eighth WTA title. Her first seven WTA titles came in 2008 (Palermo and Portoroz), 2012 (Acapulco, Barcelona, Budapest and Palermo) and most recently 2013 (Acapulco).
What beach intervals and hill sprints will do to you
Main draw action began at the Qatar Total Open on Monday but that night, the players took time to unwind and enjoy at the annual player gala dinner.
It was held at 8:00pm at the Four Seasons. In attendance were Qatar Tennis Federation Chairman of the Higher Organizing Committee, H.E. Nasser Bin Ghanim Al Khelaifi; Secretary General, Yousef Al-Obaidly; Assistant Secretary General, Tariq Darwish Zainal; Tournament Director, Saad Al Mohannadi; Assistant Tournament Director, Karim Alami, and VIP guests from Total Qatar and other sponsors. Speeches were made by H.E. Nasser Bin Ghanim Al Khelaifi and Total E&P Qatar Managing Director, Guillaume Chalmin.
Players in attendance included top seed and recent Australian Open champion, Li Na, 2011 Wimbledon Champion, Petra Kvitova; Caroline Wozniacki and Ana Ivanovic. Singles and doubles players were all there to enjoy an evening with sponsors, guests and VIPs. The dinner was invite-only and has always been a highlight for the players coming to the tournament. Tournament Master of Ceremonies, Andy Taylor, was on hand to be the MC for the gala dinner as well.
The No.8-seeded Babos and Mladenovic took just 59 minutes to cruise past No.6-seeded Spanish duo Garbiñe Muguruza and Carla Suárez Navarro in the doubles final on Saturday afternoon, 6-3, 6-2.
"Obviously it's our first title together, but it was just a matter of time, I guess, as we already played many of the finals last year," Mladenovic said.
"We knew that at some point it would come, because we are such good friends and we play amazing tennis together. We're just really delighted about it.
"We discussed to play together all year and we have high goals, so we're extremely happy."
It was, indeed, just a matter of time - Babos and Mladenovic made three big finals together last year, a Grand Slam final at Wimbledon and two Premier finals at Paris [Indoors] and Cincinnati.
They barely missed out on a spot at the BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore presented by SC Global.
Is Singapore on the Hungarian-French pair's radar for the 2015 season?
"Well, this year we're playing a full schedule, full year together, so it makes a huge difference," Babos said.
"Last year we made some huge results in the big tournaments, Wimbledon and Cincinnati, and it was already our goal to get in, but we only started playing at Wimbledon, so it was difficult.
"It won't be easy, but with more tournaments hopefully we can build our way there."
After winning a relatively straightforward first set in 41 minutes, Halep was faced with an all-out war in the marathon 66-minute second set, battling back from an early break down at 2-0 and twice failing to serve out the match at 5-4 and 6-5 - she even got herself to match point in both those games.
The second set eventually went to a tie-break, where Pliskova even inched ahead, 4-3 - but the No.1-seeded Halep reeled off four points in a row to finally close the No.17 seed out, 6-4, 7-6(4).
"I'm very happy right now. I cannot explain in words how I feel," Halep said. "It's an amazing title for me. It's very important for my career. I'm really happy and just want to enjoy this moment.
"At the beginning of the tournament some people asked me if I felt pressure because I was the No.1 seed. I said no, because I wasn't thinking about it, and I just wanted to go on court and play match by match, because everyone would play really well here. And I played with big players like Makarova, Pliskova, Wozniacki - she was No.1 two years.
So it's honestly just an amazing victory for me."
Pliskova had never even been to the quarters of a Premier 5 event before, let alone the final.
"I was trying to turn it around, but even if I won the second set, I don't know if I would have won the whole match," she said. "It would still have been hard because she doesn't give up on any point. She runs really, really well, and it's hard to kill the ball against her. She really gets everything back.
"I lost, so I'm not really happy right now, but obviously I'm happy for the week and for the last two or three weeks I had. I had so many matches here and beat great players - I'm not disappointed."
Im pretty sure the Mexican version of a Green juice is green salsa so I'm getting fueled up before the trip. And can't wait to try the salsa
TOURNAMENT INFO
TIER: Premier
PRIZE MONEY: $731,000
SURFACE: Hard
DIRECTOR: Sahad Saleh Al Mohan
While the ATP first staged a tournament in Qatar in 1993, the Qatar Tennis Federation did not launch what is now known as the Qatar Total Open in Doha in 2001 as the popularity of women's sports was starting to take off in the country. Doha's ultra-modern Khalifa International Tennis Complex also hosted the season-ending WTA Championships from 2008 to 2010.
Qatar Total Open champions include WTA greats such as Justine Henin, Martina Hingis and Monica Seles, as well as two-time winners Victoria Azarenka, Anastasia Myskina and Maria Sharapova.
The capital of Qatar, Doha is the country's cultural, commercial and financial center.
Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic celebrate defeating Garbine Muguruza of Spain during their women's semi final match of the WTA Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championship
In a contest dominated by serve, a break in the penultimate game of the match proved the difference between the two, enabling Pliskova to close out the match, 6-4, 5-7, 7-5, after a fraction under three hours on court.
"I feel amazing, I really didn't expect to get to the final here," Pliskova said. "We both have great serves, so it's always going to be tough to break, even if you have 0-30 or 0-40, it doesn't mean anything until you get that final point. I put everything into my serve to get that final game."
My fresh new hair Emoticono smile thanks to great @mighty_maiky
Over 80 children were treated to an exciting day at the tennis today, as they participated in the Lacoste Special Needs Tennis Clinic.
In partnership with Lacoste and the Clark Francis Tennis Academy, the clinic served up lessons, lunch, and a visit from top WTA players for children from Al Noor, Dubai Centre for Special Needs, Rashid Pediatric Centre, the Dubai Autism Centre and Manzil School.
The Lacoste Special Needs Clinic is specifically designed to offer a fun tennis experience for children with special needs, and they were delighted to be joined by WTA players Elena Vesnina and Arantxa Parra Santonja, who took to the court to lend a helping hand. They shared tennis tips and plenty of high-fives with the children, saying "It's good fun to get out with the kids and see a smile on their faces, they’re great kids and it’s good to be here."
Tournament mascots Ace and Annette also joined in the fun.
Sol Goodwin, a teacher at Dubai Centre for Special Needs commented “The children all love today, it is the one day that they get excited for every year. When we tell them it is the tennis day they all light up with smiles. The day is always well organized and enjoyable. Everyone had a chance to hit a ball and they all received a t-shirt and cap which they all wore while on the court. Looking forward to next year already.”
The children were delighted to be at the tennis, with one of them, Sheikha Al Kharbash from Dubai Center for Special Needs saying “Best part of the day was meeting a real player. Wow, she was super nice.”
The No.17-seeded Pliskova was the first to advance, coming back from a set and 3-1 down - and firing 10 aces along the way - to take out No.11 seed and fellow Czech Lucie Safarova, 3-6, 7-6(5), 6-1.
"The same thing happened yesterday against Ana Ivanovic, I was up a set and a break and it went to three sets," Pliskova said. "It was a similar match, but today it went my way, so I'm really happy.
"I have to say Lucie played really well today. I would say she deserved to win as well, but there could only be one winner of course. So I feel a little bit sorry for her. But it was a great match."
It's been a breakthrough year for Pliskova, reaching the finals of Sydney and the semifinals of Antwerp and debuting in the Top 20, but this is a whole new level - the big-serving Czech had never even been to the quarterfinals of a Premier 5-level tournament before, let alone the semifinals of one.
"I started really well this season, winning some matches in Australia, and it's given me even more confidence," she said. "I kept going, too. I won two matches in Fed Cup and in Antwerp. I don't want to say automatic, but I'm just going on court every day and doing my best, and it's going my way."
Lucie Safarova of the Czech Republic celebrates a point in her match against Venus Williams of the USA during day four of the WTA Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championship 2015
Lucie Safarova of the Czech Republic celebrates a point in her match against Venus Williams of the USA during day four of the WTA Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championship 2015
Defending champion Venus Williams was beaten 6-4 6-2 by Lucie Safarova in the third round of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships on Wednesday.
It was her first defeat here since 2005 and ended her winning streak in Dubai at 16 matches, still a record for any player in the WTA event.
On a day of great drama, second seed and Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova, fourth seed Ana Ivanovic, number five seed Agnieszka Radwanska and seventh seed Angelique Kerber also failed to reach the quarter-finals.
There were victories, though, for top seed Simona Halep who defeated Tsvetana Pironkova 6-4 6-3, and third seed Caroline Wozniacki overcame 2014 finalist Alize Cornet 6-4 6-0.
Australian and US Open Open semi-finalist Ekaterina Makarova also advanced, beating Zarina Diyas 6-3 6-4.
“I think she played awesome,” said Venus of Safarova. “There were a couple of games there that I didn't even get my racquet on the ball. What can I say to that? I don't think I played badly, but I couldn't afford to make any errors today.
The errors that I made were really costly, so, you know, credit to her. I wish her the best of luck the rest of the tournament.”
Radwanska was upset 6-4 6-2 by fast-rising Spanish star Garbine Muguruza after arriving in Dubai struggling with her health, following a spell playing Fed Cup in the chill of her Polish homeland. Playing for the second straight day in the midday sun left her unable to fully rise to the occasion.
“I think when you're not playing your best tennis then it's hard to compete with those kind of players,” said Radwanska. “I think I didn't serve enough, you know, to win that. I think that was really important part in that match.”
