[vector_icon icon=”fas fa-external-link-alt”] ANNOUNCER UPDATE: LATEST RESULTS FROM DOHA QUALIFYING
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ANNNOUNCER ANDY TAYLOR RETURNS TO THE QATAR TENNIS FEDERATION TEAM
Since the 2011 Doha Arab Games, announcer Andy Taylor has been a fixture with the QTF. From the Qatar TotalEnergies and ExxonMobil Open – to the Qatar Classic Squash Championship, the PSA Men’s World Championship, and World Padel Championship.
Over 10-years, he regularly returned to this gleaming city on the Arabian Gulf; but last year stepped-back from hosting international events to slow down and focus on other aspects of his voice acting career.
He made it eight months.
After 240 days in the recording booth. Behind a microphone. Only communicating with clients and partners through email, messaging, and video apps. – He realized how much he truly values the authenticity of in-person performance, and the “community” associated with working together, in person, alongside other professionals committed to excellence.
In August, Andy Taylor returned to New York for his 21st consecutive year as the Voice of the US Open; and this February, returns to work alongside his revered colleagues at the Qatar Tennis Federation as the announcer and host of the 2023 Qatar TotalEnergies and ExxonMobil Opens.
► MORE ANNOUNCER RECAPS FROM THE 2023 QATAR TOTALENERGIES OPEN
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QATAR TOTAL ENERGIES OPEN | SINGLES CHAMPIONS
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QATAR TOTAL ENERGIES OPEN | DOUBLES CHAMPIONS
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2023 QATAR TOTALENERGIES OPEN: DEFENDING CHAMPION RETURNS
Last year, Poland’s Iga Swiatek upset top-seed (and recent 2023 Australian Open Champion) Aryna Sabalenka in the Quarterfinals. Then steamrolled both Maria Sakkari and Anett Kontaveit to capture the falcon. It was her second career WTA-1000 title.
And it was just the beginning.
Over four months, the 20-year-old went on a 37-match win-streak – the longest WTA win-streak in 25-years. Capturing five more titles in Indian Wells, Miami, Stuttgart, Rome, and her second Major at Roland Garros. She made her debut as the World #1 after capturing the Sunshine Double, earned her third Grand Slam title at the US Open, and has now been the sport’s top-ranked player for 45 consecutive weeks.
NINE WTA TOP-10 TALENTS INTENDED TO RETURN, BUT…
At the entry deadline, Maria Sakkari – a Semifinalist last year – was the only top-10 talent out of the mix. The rest of the top-10 were all in, including inspiring Tunisian Ons Jabeur, American Jessica Pegula. The resurgent Caroline Garcia. Newly minted Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka. 18-year-old phenom Coco Gauff. Daria Kasatkina. Veronika Kudermetova. And Belinda Bencic.
However, just days before the start of the tournament, both Sabalenka and Jabeur withdrew. In fact, Ons will miss the entire Arabian Swing to have minor knee surgery. Last year’s Finalist Anett Kontaveit also withdrew after injuring her back in Abu Dhabi.
Additionally – despite making a deep run in Linz – Maria Sakkari changed her mind; she was ready to commit to the Qatar TotalEnergies Open. So, two days before the tournament began – while Maria was getting ready to take the court for a Semifinal clash in Austria – here in Doha, she was a given a Wild Card and placed into the Draw as the #5-seed.
WTA-500 TOURNAMENT THIS YEAR
The Singles main draw includes 20 direct entries, along with 4 Wild Cards and 4 Qualifiers. Meanwhile, the Doubles draw includes 16 teams, including one Wild Card tandem.
In all, the field of talent features 13 former Doha champions:
- IGA SWIATEK – 2022 Singles Champion
- PETRA KVITOVA – 2021, 2018 Singles Champion
- ELISE MERTENS– 2019 Singles Champion
- KAROLINA PLISKOVA – 2017 Singles Champion
- VICTORIA AZARENKA – 2013, 2012 Singles Champion
- VERA ZVONAREVA – 2011 Singles champion
- COCO GAUFF – 2022 Doubles Champion
- JESSICA PEGULA – 2022 Doubles Champion
- DEMI SCHUURS – 2021 Doubles Champion
- NICOLE MELICHAR-MARTINEZ – 2021 Doubles Champion
- JELENA OSTAPENKO – 2018 Doubles Champion
- CHAN HAO-CHING – 2016, 2019 Doubles Champions
- LATISHA CHAN – 2016, 2019 Doubles Champions
Clearly a tremendous turn-out, even with Dubai hosting this year’s Arabian Gulf WTA-1000 event the following week. (Dubai and Doha rotate WTA-500 and WTA-1000 tournaments annually).
Former champions Elise Mertens and Karolina Pliskova will have to successfully navigate qualifying to reach the main draw, while Petra Kvitova and Victoria Azarenka will chase history: They remain the only 2-time Doha Singles champions who have reached the Final on three occasions. Should one of them reach the championship match again, Petra or Vika will become the most successful talent in tournament history.
This year’s edition is unique in that it is the first major tournament to be hosted by Qatar after the grand success of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. We believe the world will witness an amazing event just like they did at Qatar 2022 and we can’t wait to host the stars.
SAAD AL MOHANNADI, TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR. QATAR TOTAL ENERGIES OPEN
13-FEB to 18-FEB | KHALIFA INTERNATIONAL TENNIS AND SQUASH COMPLEX
Qualifying for the 21st edition of the Qatar TotalEnergies Open begins Saturday, February 11th with a field of 32 talents, including four qualifying Wild Cards. After the first two rounds on Saturday and Sunday, the final round of qualifying will coincide with Day-1 of main draw action on Monday.
Round-1 concludes on Tuesday, followed by the Round of 16 Wednesday, the Quarterfinals Thursday, the Singles Semifinals and Doubles Final Friday, and the Singles Championship on Saturday. Total prize purse for this year’s tournament: $780,637.
