Zainal: Qatar Open Continues to Excel in ATP Tournaments

Doha, January 02 (QNA) - Secretary General of the Qatar Tennis, Squash and Badminton Federation (QTSBF) Tariq Zainal confirmed that the new edition of the Qatar Open tennis tournament, organized by QTSBF for the 27th year, continues to excel in the 250-point Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) tournaments. Zainal told Qatar News Agency (QNA) that the 2019 Qatar Open witnesses the participation of the world's best tennis players, led by first-seeded Novak Djokovic. He pointed out that the performances at the second round were outstanding and the fans enjoyed the high level matches at Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex. The quarterfinals will be outstanding and will witness tough matches, Zainal added. About the early exit of Austria's Dominic Thiem, second-seeded and eighth in the world, Zainal said that Thiem's elimination didn't affect the tournament because of the qualification of the other top-seeded players, especially the world number one, Novak Djokovic. On the development of the promising Qatari player Mubarak Shannan, Secretary General of QTSBF said that Shannan played brilliant match along with Turkey's Cem Ilkel against Novak Djokovic and Marko Djokovic in the doubles match, adding that they were so close to beat the Djokovic brother, however, the experience of the latter sealed the game. Zainal added that Shannan needs to participate at the top level tournaments in Europe and the U.S. to gain experience. He pointed out that QTSBF has a strategy for the development of Qatari players, that focuses on participating in a large number of tournaments and avoid long rests in order to reach high rankings globally. (QNA)