Two Weeks of Spectacular Action Sees New Champions Crowned

Dubai, UAE, March 8th, 2008: In what was arguably the most exciting two weeks in the 16 year history of the Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships, the tournament saw not one, but both, long-standing champions lose their crowns as first Justine Henin and then Roger Federer fell to early defeats.

Henin had a remarkable record in Dubai, not having lost a match in her four previous visits. But things looked shaky in her first match as she struggled past Dubai-based Slovenian Katarina Srebotnik in a three-hour marathon. Still, she also struggled in her opening match last year and then went on to win the tournament, so no alarms bell rang. But then, in the best match of the women’s event, she fell in two tiebreaks to feisty Italian Francesca Schiavone.

"She played well but I didn't take the opportunities and wasn't brave enough. She was better than me, as simple as that," Henin said afterwards.

The Italian then went out in the semi-finals to Russia’s Elena Dementieva, who was playing in Dubai for the first time and had upset third seed Ana Ivanovic in the quarter-finals in three tight sets. Never one to give in without a fight, Schiavone went down 5-7 7-5 6-2.

In the other half of the draw, Svetlana Kuznetsova came through quite comfortably, winning her first two matches in straight sets, including a victory over former champion Amelie Mauresmo. She was stretched in the semi-finals by Jelena Jankovic, but took that match 5-7 6-4 6-3.

And so to the final, and Dementieva won her third three-set match in succession, beating Kuznetsova 4-6 6-3 6-2.

“I just feel so happy,” said the champion. “First time here and such a big win, especially in the final against Svetlana. I think it was a great match and I was playing really, really good, probably the best match for a long time for me.

“I always wanted to come here because I heard from other players it’s a great place and all of the players really like it here, but I was usually playing Paris and Antwerp. This time I really decided to come and I have no regrets about it.”

Some debut. Some debut also for the two Andys, Murray and Roddick.

A gasp went up when Murray’s name was drawn out of the pot to play Federer in the first round. It couldn’t have been tougher for either player. Federer, who had been in the last five finals, winning four, against the world number 11 with two titles to his name already this year.

Murray won 6-7 6-3 6-4, without facing a break point, to hand Federer his first opening round defeat since 2004. Some debut.

“Tough match, obviously. It was always going to be a tough draw,” said Federer. “I knew that from the start. I definitely could have played much better tennis, but then again you’ve got to give credit to the guy who beat you and came up with the shots.”

Murray went on to struggle against Fernando Verdasco before losing in straight sets to fifth seed Nikolay Davydenko.

Most of the really big names were in the bottom half of the draw, which is why the tournament saw a quarter-final match that would not have been out of place as a Grand Slam final. Roddick took on 2006 champion Rafael Nadal, and in a standing-room only centre court thriller it was the American who emerged the winner, 7-6 6-2.

Then it was time for another contest worthy of a Grand Slam final, as Roddick took on Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic in the semis. Again, the atmosphere was electric as the pair did battle, and Roddick again came through in straight sets, 7-6 6-3.

The final saw him take on unseeded Feliciano Lopez, runner-up to Federer in 2004. The left-handed Spaniard loves playing in Dubai, and he reached the final by seeing off three top 10 opponents in Tomas Berdych, David Ferrer and Nikolay Davydenko. But beating Roddick was a challenge too far, and the American came through 6-7 6-4 6-2. Some debut.

“I’m excited,” said the champion. “I stated a couple of weeks ago that a big part of my decision to come here was to try to get a shot at the top players and I was able to do that, and success here has made it look like it was a good idea.

“I wanted to see this part of the world and I’ve felt very welcome. I’ve heard amazing things about Dubai and I like to experience different cultures. Based on what I have seen so far the city is beyond my wildest expectations.”

He stayed at the Burj Al Arab. Enough said.

“That hotel, I don’t know how to describe it. It’s just amazing. It’s almost like you’re not in reality. We’re not in reality often, but this is like another universe. It was pretty fun and something I’ll remember.”

Despite his defeat in the semis, Djokovic declared himself more than happy with his second trip to Dubai.

“I think the conditions at this tournament are perfect,” he said. “It’s not too hot, not too humid, and especially during the night it’s very pleasant.” So expect him back again.

There were also plenty of off-court activities for the players. Roddick enjoyed a visit to the famous Mina A’ Salam, part of Madinat Jumeirah’s Arabian Resort, which included a visit to a turtle sanctuary. Both Mauresmo and Murray headed off to the Dubai British School and answered questions for over 400 excited children. Ivanovic made a visit to Dubai Duty Free at the airport and was especially interested in the gold counter!

But the most spectacular trip was Nadal’s ascent to the top of the world’s tallest building, the Burj Dubai. Facing Federer in the Wimbledon final was nothing compared to the challenge of the ride to the summit in an outside elevator.

“It was nice when I was at the top. It was an amazing experience,” said Nadal. “But when I was going up in the elevator I was totally scared. I felt pressure all the time. It was just a temporary elevator outside. But I asked them and they told me no one has been injured in three years, so...

“When I was at the top, perfect. I like it a lot. Unbelievable views. And when it’s finished the elevator will be inside so you can have an amazing view without being scared!”

So, yet again, the world’s best players have come to Dubai, provided spectacular entertainment, and gone away determined to return to one of the most popular tournaments on the tennis calendar.

“The tennis throughout the two weeks has been absolutely fantastic and, like Dubai Duty Free, has been full of surprises,” said Colm McLoughlin, managing director of tournament owners and organisers Dubai Duty Free. “After the dominance of Henin and Federer for so many years, the tournament now has two new champions who we look forward to welcoming them back in 2009 to defend their titles.”

The Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships 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.