Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia with her trophy after she defeated Veronika Kudermetova of Russia to win the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championship on Saturday, February 19, 2022. AP Photo
Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia with her trophy after she defeated Veronika Kudermetova of Russia to win the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championship on Saturday, February 19, 2022. AP Photo
Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia with her trophy after she defeated Veronika Kudermetova of Russia to win the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championship on Saturday, February 19, 2022. AP Photo
Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia with her trophy after she defeated Veronika Kudermetova of Russia to win the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championship on Saturday, February 19, 2022. AP Photo

World No 1 Swiatek and defending champ Ostapenko confirmed for Dubai Tennis Championships


Steve Luckings
  • English
  • Arabic

Six of the world’s top-10 female players including world No 1 Iga Swiatek and defending champion Jelena Ostapenko are confirmed to play next month's WTA Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships.

The star-studded line-up also includes those ranked two, three and four by the WTA – Ons Jabeur, Jessica Pegula and Caroline Garcia - as well as Daria Kasatkina and Veronika Kudermetova, ranked eighth and ninth respectively.

Latvia's Ostapenko beat Russia's Veronika Kudermetova 6-0, 6-4 in last year's final and organisers have confirmed the 25-year-old will return to the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium to defend her title.

Poland’s Swiatek, 21 and like many currently bidding to win the Australian Open, added two more Grand Slam titles to her collection in 2022 to finish the year top of the WTA rankings, following up her second French Open title with a maiden win at the US Open.

Her opponent at Flushing Meadows – Jabeur – meanwhile became the first Arab to reach a Grand Slam final when she progressed to the final at Wimbledon and again at the US Open last year. A crowd favourite, the Tunisian is the highest ranked African in tennis history.

“Each year, we strive to build on past achievements and attract the world’s best to the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships. With 14 of the top-20 women confirmed we have one of our strongest fields ever. This year’s tournament promises to be another highly enjoyable experience for spectators, players, sponsors and media ,” said Colm McLoughlin, executive vice chairman and chief executive of Dubai Duty Free.

Swiatek beats Jabeur in US Open final

  • Ons Jabeur, Iga Swiatek, and Martina Navratilova pose for a picture after the US Open final at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 10, 2022 in New York City. AFP
    Ons Jabeur, Iga Swiatek, and Martina Navratilova pose for a picture after the US Open final at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 10, 2022 in New York City. AFP
  • Ons Jabeur poses with the runners-up plate after being defeated by Iga Swiatek in the 2022 US Open final. AFP
    Ons Jabeur poses with the runners-up plate after being defeated by Iga Swiatek in the 2022 US Open final. AFP
  • Iga Swiatek celebrates with the championship trophy after winning the 2022 US Open. Getty
    Iga Swiatek celebrates with the championship trophy after winning the 2022 US Open. Getty
  • Iga Swiatek and Ons Jabeur pose for photos during the trophy ceremony following their US Open final match. AFP
    Iga Swiatek and Ons Jabeur pose for photos during the trophy ceremony following their US Open final match. AFP
  • Iga Swiatek lifts the US Open trophy after winning the final against Ons Jabeur. AFP
    Iga Swiatek lifts the US Open trophy after winning the final against Ons Jabeur. AFP
  • Ons Jabeur lifts the runners-up trophy after being defeated by Iga Swiatek in the US Open final. AFP
    Ons Jabeur lifts the runners-up trophy after being defeated by Iga Swiatek in the US Open final. AFP
  • Iga Swiatek with the championship trophy after winning the US Open final. Getty
    Iga Swiatek with the championship trophy after winning the US Open final. Getty
  • Ons Jabeur applauds Iga Swiatek during the US Open trophy ceremony. Reuters
    Ons Jabeur applauds Iga Swiatek during the US Open trophy ceremony. Reuters
  • Iga Swiatek hugs Ons Jabeur during the trophy ceremony following the 2022 US Open final. AFP
    Iga Swiatek hugs Ons Jabeur during the trophy ceremony following the 2022 US Open final. AFP
  • Ons Jabeur kicks the ball in frustration during the US Open final against Iga Swiatek. Getty
    Ons Jabeur kicks the ball in frustration during the US Open final against Iga Swiatek. Getty
  • Iga Swiatek and her team celebrate with the trophy after her win against Ons Jabeur in the US Open final. Getty
    Iga Swiatek and her team celebrate with the trophy after her win against Ons Jabeur in the US Open final. Getty
  • Iga Swiatek celebrates with the championship trophy after defeating Ons Jabeur in the US Open final. Getty
    Iga Swiatek celebrates with the championship trophy after defeating Ons Jabeur in the US Open final. Getty
  • Iga Swiatek hits a return to Ons Jabeur during the 2022 US Open final. AFP
    Iga Swiatek hits a return to Ons Jabeur during the 2022 US Open final. AFP
  • Iga Swiatek slumps to the court in celebration after winning the 2022 US Open. AFP
    Iga Swiatek slumps to the court in celebration after winning the 2022 US Open. AFP
  • Iga Swiatek greets Ons Jabeur after her win in the US Open final. Getty
    Iga Swiatek greets Ons Jabeur after her win in the US Open final. Getty
  • Iga Swiatek celebrates a point against Ons Jabeur during the US Open final. Getty
    Iga Swiatek celebrates a point against Ons Jabeur during the US Open final. Getty
  • Ons Jabeur hits a backhand to Iga Swiatek during the US Open final. Getty
    Ons Jabeur hits a backhand to Iga Swiatek during the US Open final. Getty
  • Ons Jabeur reacts after losing a point to Iga Swiatek during the US Open final. AP
    Ons Jabeur reacts after losing a point to Iga Swiatek during the US Open final. AP

Other names confirmed for the February 19-25 event include 2017 US Open finalist Madison Keys; Dubai-based Spaniard Paula Badosa, and Brazilian No 1 Beatriz Haddad Maia.

Tournament Director Salah Tahlak added: “The field for this year’s Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships is a fantastic mix of established stars, previous champions and upcoming talents. We are looking forward to the WTA week bringing thrilling tennis from the best in the women’s game, followed of course by the ATP men’s week.”

The men's event runs from February 27-March 5. So far, world No 1 and 22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, winner of 21 majors, are the big names confirmed for the ATP tournament.

Tickets for the Championships to go on sale online on January 17. Fans and spectators can purchase tickets directly from dubaidutyfreetennischampionships.com.

WOMAN AND CHILD

Director: Saeed Roustaee

Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi

Rating: 4/5

'My Son'

Director: Christian Carion

Starring: James McAvoy, Claire Foy, Tom Cullen, Gary Lewis

Rating: 2/5

Timeline

2012-2015

The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East

May 2017

The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts

September 2021

Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act

October 2021

Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence 

December 2024

Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group

May 2025

The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan

July 2025

The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan

August 2025

Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision

October 2025

Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange

November 2025

180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE

RESULT

Wolves 1 (Traore 67')

Tottenham 2 (Moura 8', Vertonghen 90 1')

Man of the Match: Adama Traore (Wolves)

Classification of skills

A worker is categorised as skilled by the MOHRE based on nine levels given in the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) issued by the International Labour Organisation. 

A skilled worker would be someone at a professional level (levels 1 – 5) which includes managers, professionals, technicians and associate professionals, clerical support workers, and service and sales workers.

The worker must also have an attested educational certificate higher than secondary or an equivalent certification, and earn a monthly salary of at least Dh4,000. 

The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm

Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm

Transmission: 9-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh117,059

MATCH INFO

FA Cup fifth round

Chelsea v Manchester United, Monday, 11.30pm (UAE), BeIN Sports

Drishyam 2

Directed by: Jeethu Joseph

Starring: Mohanlal, Meena, Ansiba, Murali Gopy

Rating: 4 stars

Everything Now

Arcade Fire

(Columbia Records)

Essentials

The flights

Emirates and Etihad fly direct from the UAE to Geneva from Dh2,845 return, including taxes. The flight takes 6 hours. 

The package

Clinique La Prairie offers a variety of programmes. A six-night Master Detox costs from 14,900 Swiss francs (Dh57,655), including all food, accommodation and a set schedule of medical consultations and spa treatments.

Cases of coronavirus in the GCC as of March 15

Saudi Arabia – 103 infected, 0 dead, 1 recovered

UAE – 86 infected, 0 dead, 23 recovered

Bahrain – 210 infected, 0 dead, 44 recovered

Kuwait – 104 infected, 0 dead, 5 recovered

Qatar – 337 infected, 0 dead, 4 recovered

Oman – 19 infected, 0 dead, 9 recovered

MATCH INFO

Uefa Champions League, last-16. first leg

Atletico Madrid v Juventus, midnight (Thursday), BeIN Sports

The biog

Name: Samar Frost

Born: Abu Dhabi

Hobbies: Singing, music and socialising with friends

Favourite singer: Adele

How to avoid crypto fraud
  • Use unique usernames and passwords while enabling multi-factor authentication.
  • Use an offline private key, a physical device that requires manual activation, whenever you access your wallet.
  • Avoid suspicious social media ads promoting fraudulent schemes.
  • Only invest in crypto projects that you fully understand.
  • Critically assess whether a project’s promises or returns seem too good to be true.
  • Only use reputable platforms that have a track record of strong regulatory compliance.
  • Store funds in hardware wallets as opposed to online exchanges.
First-round leaderbaord

-5 C Conners (Can)

-3 B Koepka (US), K Bradley (US), V Hovland (Nor), A Wise (US), S Horsfield (Eng), C Davis (Aus);

-2 C Morikawa (US), M Laird (Sco), C Tringale (US)

Selected others: -1 P Casey (Eng), R Fowler (US), T Hatton (Eng)

Level B DeChambeau (US), J Rose (Eng) 

1 L Westwood (Eng), J Spieth (US)

3 R McIlroy (NI)

4 D Johnson (US)

The specs: 2018 Audi Q5/SQ5

Price, base: Dh183,900 / Dh249,000
Engine: 2.0L, turbocharged in-line four-cylinder /  3.0L, turbocharged V6
Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic / Eight-speed automatic
Power: 252hp @ 5,000rpm / 354hp @ 5,400rpm
Torque: 370Nm @ 1,600rpm / 500Nm @ 1,370rpm
Fuel economy: combined 7.2L / 100km / 8.3L / 100km

The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylturbo

Transmission: seven-speed DSG automatic

Power: 242bhp

Torque: 370Nm

Price: Dh136,814

MATCH INFO

Real Madrid 2

Vinicius Junior (71') Mariano (90 2')

Barcelona 0

ARGENTINA SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Franco Armani, Agustin Marchesin, Esteban Andrada
Defenders: Juan Foyth, Nicolas Otamendi, German Pezzella, Nicolas Tagliafico, Ramiro Funes Mori, Renzo Saravia, Marcos Acuna, Milton Casco
Midfielders: Leandro Paredes, Guido Rodriguez, Giovani Lo Celso, Exequiel Palacios, Roberto Pereyra, Rodrigo De Paul, Angel Di Maria
Forwards: Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero, Lautaro Martinez, Paulo Dybala, Matias Suarez

The specs: 2018 BMW X2 and X3

Price, as tested: Dh255,150 (X2); Dh383,250 (X3)

Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged inline four-cylinder (X2); 3.0-litre twin-turbo inline six-cylinder (X3)

Power 192hp @ 5,000rpm (X2); 355hp @ 5,500rpm (X3)

Torque: 280Nm @ 1,350rpm (X2); 500Nm @ 1,520rpm (X3)

Transmission: Seven-speed automatic (X2); Eight-speed automatic (X3)

Fuel consumption, combined: 5.7L / 100km (X2); 8.3L / 100km (X3)

Updated: January 17, 2023, 8:41 AM