DUBAI // When living in the desert, the prospect of rain is rarely given a moment’s thought. It is partly what makes the UAE such an attractive option for hosting sports events during the winter months.
A virtual guarantee of good weather and temperatures in the mid-20s have helped in bringing various top-level tournaments to the Emirates.
Unless, of course, it rains. As it did at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships on Wednesday.
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And boy, did it rain. A seemingly regular winter’s day in Dubai, with glorious blue skies and pleasant conditions, was rudely interrupted late afternoon for three and a half hours by dark clouds that proceeded to drown the city in a torrential storm. Rain, thunder, lightning, even hailstones made an appearance.
It had the potential to wreak havoc on the tournament’s organisation, but thankfully, through a combination of kinder weather, hard working staff, and a rejig to the order of play, all scheduled matches went ahead. Among those matches included a humdinger of a contest between two of tennis’s biggest stars.
Gracing Centre Court in the first evening match, and having to contend with just a one-hour delay, defending champion and top seed Simona Halep faced former world No 1 Ana Ivanovic, with both players backed by roaring support.
Given the pulling power of both players, tournament organisers could be forgiven if they secretly hoped they had met in the latter stages.
As it was, Wednesday’s encounter decided who would take their place in the quarter-finals and a match against Czech Barbora Strycova.
At least a dozen Romania flags draped the railings around the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium as chants of “Si-Mo-Na!’”filled the arena. Ivanovic fans, keen to let their support be heard, responded with an improvised “A-Na!”
The enthusiasm of the crowd was only encouraged further by the top-quality tennis that unfolded in front of them.
Halep, who delayed surgery to play in Dubai, started the stronger, using her lightning fast movement and solid defence to fashion winners of her own and force Ivanovic into errors.
After taking a 2-0 lead, Halep managed to keep Ivanovic at arms length for the remainder of the first set until the Romanian was serving to clinch it at 5-4. The constant momentum swing of the first set swung in Ivanovic’s direction at just the right time and after breaking back, the 28-year-old Serbian pounced to win the tie-break.
The outcome of the first set proved decisive, and as Ivanovic’s confidence grew, Halep’s deteriorated.
The attacking game plan, all built on a brute of a forehand that served her so well in her first-round win over Daria Gavrilova, came to the fore for Ivanovic.
Despite getting broken in the opening game of the second set, Ivanovic responded with a break of her own before storming to a 5-2 lead and sealing the victory on serve.
“I think it was one of the highest quality matches I have had in maybe a year,” Ivanovic said.
“I was very happy to get through. I started a little anxious. I was rushing too much, but I was really happy I managed to calm down and raise my level and win.
“I lost a lot of close matches in the past, so it was nice to get this one done. I knew I had it in me, so I really believed throughout.”
Belief is something not lacking from Ivanovic’ at present, but the world No 17 is refusing to set any specific targets for herself.
“Honestly I just try now to enjoy my game,” Ivanovic said. “I’m 28, this year 29. I just think about all the experiences I had, all the things I achieved. Now it’s time to actually play the game.
“There is no overachieving or underachieving. It’s what you make out of it. I know I have talent and the possibility to do well. That’s what I want to try and do.”
Halep, while disappointed to have lost, said her priority at this stage is to build her fitness up after a start to the season hampered by injury and illness.
“I think I was doing OK. I was aggressive, but she played really well,” Halep said. “She came back well.
“I’m disappointed that I lost but it’s OK. I feel good. Physically I’m fine. I have no pain anywhere. It’s good, and the most important thing is that I’m healthy.”
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