Serena Williams Sharapova to play in Qatar
Date
1/19/2016 4:05:28 PM
(MENAFN- The Peninsula) Serena Williams of the US plays a backhand return during her women's singles match against Italy's Camila Giorgi on day one of the 2016 Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 18 2016. (AFP / Saeed Khan)
DOHA: Grand Slam star Serena Williams of the US will be one of the top players confirmed for next month's Qatar Total Open the organisers said yesterday.
Williams who has 21 Grand Slams in her stellar career will lead a virtual star cast at the February 21-27 event to be held at Doha's iconic Khalifa Tennis Complex.
Tennis diva Maria Sharapova of Russia 2014 champion Simona Halep of Romania Poland's Agnieszka Radwanska former Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic and last year's winner Lucie Safarova will also be in Doha next month.
The 64-player will give direct entry to 43 players Qatar Tennis Federation (QTF) said yesterday.
The total prize money at the WTA Premier 5 even is a staggering $2517250.
Tournament Director Saad Al Mohannadi said yesterday: “Qatar will host a very high quality field next month at the Qatar Total Open. It is an extraordinary field and I think it will ensure quality matches. It will be exciting to see if Serena can make another memorable moment here in Doha and to watch Safarova if she can defend her title for a second time."
Tickets for the event can be purchased online beginning on January 20th afternoon at www.qatartennis.org.
The Peninsula