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July 18, 2000
Dubai Duty Free announced the launch of the Middle East's first WTA tournament in 2001.
February 19, 2001
First WTA tournament started at Dubai Tennis Stadium. The official opening ceremony featured the look-like of Tina Turner and Robbie Williams. Martina Hingis and Mary Pierce were among the top players to take part. Tunisian player Selima Sfar dished out a sensational performance and became the first Arab woman to get past a player ranked under 50 on the circuit. Her prize catch on the Aviation Club centre court was the 41st ranked Croatian Silvija Talaja.
Thai player Tamarine Tanasugaran said, "It is very difficult for the Asian players to play in Europe or America since it is too expensive to travel... The meetings in Dubai and Qatar are a great chance for the Asian players to garner ranking points."
February 20, 2001
Uzbek tennis player Iroda Tulyaganova gave a scare to veteran French campaigner on the WTA Tour Mary Pierce before making an exit. Second-seed Pierce had to work tooth and nail before heaving a sigh of relief with a 7-6 (7-4), 6-4 triumph.
In another match Australian player Rachel McQuillan reached the main draw by beating Holly Parkinson 6-2 6-3. McQullian said, "The surface here suits my game."
February 21, 2001
Russian qualifier Lina Krasnoroutskaya gave a shock three-set victory over third seeded Spaniard Arantxa-Sanchez Vicario.
Lina said: "In future there will be more Russians in the main draw here. Agassi is my favourite player and I have learned a lot by watching him closely."
Tunisia's wild card entry Selima Sfar kept the Arabian flag flying as three seeds were ousted and two qualifiers made it to the quarterfinals.
February 22, 2001
Top seed Martina Hingis overcame fifth seed Sandrine Testud 6-3, 5-7, 6-4 as the two went on a service breaking spree. The Nathalie Tauziat-Selima Sfar clash turned out to be the best women's match in Dubai so far. The fast-rising Tunisian made Tauziat sweat for her 7-6, (7-3), 5-7, 6-3 triumph. Australian qualifier Rachel McQuillan said she was enjoying her best tennis in Dubai. She said: "I didn't expect this, I am surprised with myself."
February 23, 2001
Martina Hingis stuttered at the start against her Thai opponent Tamarine Tanasugarn but eventually asserted her position and authority with a 7-6 (7-6), 6-1 semifinals win. Hingis made too many errors and admitted later, "I should have lost the first set." But she didn't and went on to dominate her rival for the rest of the match.
February 24, 2001
Martina Hingis' reign at the top of the women's tennis world continued with another title triumph at the Aviation Club Stadium. Hingis beat Nathalie Tauziat 6-4, 6-4 in the Dubai Duty Free women's final. It was a day of milestones for Hingis as she remained at the top of the world ranking for 179 weeks, surpassing Monica Seles in the process.
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