February 17, 2003
Seventeen-year-old Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova brushed aside Iva Majoli of Croatia 7-6, 6-2 in the opening round. "The advantage I had is that I had to practice back home at my club in even worse weather conditions," she said.
The WTA Tour gave its seal of approval for the hosting of the Dubai Women's Open. Giulia Orlandi, the WTA tour supervisor overseeing the Dubai competition said that one could not have asked for a safer destination to head to during these uncertain times.
February 18, 2003
Fourth seed Monica Seles of the US lived up to expectations when she cruised to a 6-3, 6-2 win over Francesca Schiavone. Seles said: "I'm still not at my best, but I think I was much steadier in the later part of the game and that eventually helped me."
Another match with maximum mileage was between two Russians — Anastasia Myskina and Dinara Safina. Myskina's experience showed through and she won a 6-4, 6-3
victory.
February 19, 2003
Justine Henin-Hardenne celebrated the moment as she became the top seed after defeating the German qualifier Anca Barna (6-2; 6-4). Defending champion Amélie Mauresmo advanced to the second round by defeating Petra Mandula.
In another match Anastasia Myskina brushed aside Tamarine Tanasugarn 6-3, 6-2 to become the last player to complete the quarterfinal line up for the competition.
February 20, 2003
Top four seeds reached the semifinals: Second seed and defending champion Amélie Mauresmo won over Lina Krasnoroutskaya in a 6-2, 6-4 match. Fourth seed, Monica Seles, defeated Iroda Tulyaganova 6-1, 7-5. Third seed, Jennifer Capriati, walked away 6-2, 6-3 against Spaniard, Conchita Martinez. Top seed Justine Henin-Hardenne reserved her best for the crowd later with a deserving 6-1, 6-4 win over Anastasia Myskina to complete the semifinal line-up.
February 21, 2003
Justine Henin-Hardenne beat third-seed Jennifer Capriati in 7-5, 4-6, 6-4, as they battled for over two hours to provide one of the most entertaining matches. The opening semifinal was a bit of a disappointment with defending champion and second seed, Amélie Mauresmo, falling to a niggling adductor injury against a resurgent Monica Seles after the American held sway leading 6-3, 2-2.
February 22, 2003
Justine Henin-Hardenne won 4-6, 7-6, 7-5 against third seed Monica Seles in a gripping final of the Dubai Duty Free Women's Open. Tennis legend Martina Navratilova and Russian teenager, Svetlana Kuznetsova, won the doubles title ahead of Cara Black and Elena Likhovtseva at the Dubai Tennis Stadium.
Shaikh Ahmad Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Group, presented the trophy to Henin-Hardenne.
