Aryna Sabalenka captures Doha's Falcon in her Qatar Total Open debut

Raw determination. You can build a tennis career without it, but you’ll retire with an empty trophy case. Aryna Sabalenka personifies those two words. Forget watching — simply listen to Aryna play. It’s clear from ball up: She is unapologetically “raw.” Unabashedly “determined.”

Years from now, this title – this week – will be on the short-list of Aryna Sabalenka’s personal career highlights. For starters, she captured Doha’s Falcon on the first try – to win a title in one’s event debut is always special. Additionally, she won the Qatar Total Open the year after her doubles partner, Elise Mertens. For Aryna, knowing that she and Elise will always be featured side-by-side as Doha Singles Champions is a big deal.

Finally, the Qatar Total Open was the first title Aryna won after the loss of her father back in November. Aryna’s Dad always pushed her, with undisputed belief that she could become World #1. This victory is the first brick in the construction of a career monument that will honor her father’s years of sacrifice. Now a 3-time Premier-5 Champion and 10-time Tour-level Finalist – at just 21-years-old, this is just the beginning.

REMARKABLE. SU-WEI HSIEH AND BARBORA STRYCOVA ARE NOW 17-1 IN 2020

Another week, another title. Strycova and Hsieh have played 18 matches together since the season began. Their only loss came in the championship match of the Australian Open. As the reigning Wimbledon Champions, Melbourne marked their second Major Final. Now with 3 titles in the first two months of the new season (Brisbane, Dubai and Doha), the pair has become the tandem to beat in 2020. On Monday, Su-wei Hsieh will reclaim the World #1 ranking, and is now one of only 7 players who owns two Qatar Total Open Doubles titles.

Qatar Total Open. Singles Champions and Leaderboard
The Voice of the Qatar ExxonMobil Open, Andy Taylor featured in Qatar's Tennis Link Magazine
Qatar Total Open. Doubles Champions and Leaderboard

Recaps of the 25 matches played on Center Court

The Quarterfinals

Round of 16

Qualifying Rounds and Draw Ceremony

In 2001, Martina Hingis captured the first Qatar Total Open title. Her opponent in the Final, Sadrine Testud, also won the Doubles title with partner Roberta Vinci. Since then, Doha has become a significant stop on the WTA Tour. In February 2008, the tournament became a Tier-I event - and later that November, hosted it's first of three WTA Finals. Today, the Qatar Total Open alternates Premier-5 seasons with Dubai's Duty Free Tennis Championships.

With luxurious amenities and the Qatar Tennis Federation's determined focus to make every athlete feel at home, Doha offers an easy-going environment for players and their teams. From the facilities to the transportation, from the professional staff to the fan-focused presentation, Qatar offers a top-shelf production players eagerly anticipate every February.

Very humbled to be back as the Voice of the Qatar Total Open, and excited to make lasting memories with this year's field of tremendous talent.

Andy Taylor