Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships take off!!

Caroline Garcia was the first player to reach the second round of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships today when she overcame Johanna Larson 6-3 6-3. Garcia was a semi-finalist last year and also finished as runner-up in the doubles, and she took just 67 minutes to get her 2017 campaign underway while saving all four break points she faced.

There was also a 6-3 6-3 win for Samantha Stosur, a three-times quarter-finalist between 2011 and 2013, as she defeated qualifier Kai-Lin Zhang. But another qualifier, Saisai Zheng, was more successful as she battled her way to a 6-4 3-6 6-3 victory over Lara Arruabarrena. Her reward is a second round clash with seventh seeded Elina Svitolina.

"We are excited that the 2017 Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships is now underway and we look forward to many thrilling matches in the days ahead," said Colm McLoughlin, Executive Vice Chairman and CEO of Dubai Duty Free, the tournament owners and organisers. "It is not unusual for the tournament to produce surprises and for unseeded players to reach the final or even to claim the title, and it will be very interesting indeed to see who emerges as the winner. We wish all the competitors well."

The top eight seeds have a bye into the second round, and include US Open champion and world number two Angelique Kerber, 2017 Brisbane and Doha champion Karolina Pliskova, WTA Finals winner Dominika Cibulkova, French Open champion Garbine Muguruza, and former Dubai winner Agnieszka Radwanska.

"With so many top players taking part this week, Centre Court ticket holders are guaranteed fantastic competition as everyone fights for the right to hold one of the most sought-after trophies on the WTA Tour," said tournament director Salah Tahlak. "Many highly-ranked players will also be free to watch on the outside courts, giving everyone the opportunity to see a week or world-class action."

Play in the WTA event continues until 25th February, and the tournament continues between 27th February and 4th March with the 25th staging of the ATP World Tour event which includes Wimbledon, Olympic and ATP World Tour Finals champion and world number one Andy Murray, Australian Open champion and seven-time Dubai winner Roger Federer, defending Dubai champion Stan Wawrinka, two-time Dubai finalist Tomas Berdych and the entertaining Gael Monfils.

The Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships is owned and organised by Dubai Duty Free, and held under the patronage of H. H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.