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Post by SAFINNO1 on Feb 17, 2009 23:43:19 GMT 3
Sorry Annette for taking your opening Thread jobs but i find myself with a lot of free time at the moment and spend it on Marat! I know i need a life! Next up on his farewell tour is: Tournament Name: BARCLAYS DUBAI TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS
Location: DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
Dates: 23 FEBRUARY–1 MARCH, 2009 (SATURDAY FINAL)
Prize Money: US $2,233,000
32 DRAW (16 DRAW QUALIFYING)SITE: THE DUBAI TENNIS STADIUM THE AVIATION CLUB, AL GARHOUD DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES SURFACE: DECOTURF II BALL: HEAD ATP PRIZE MONEY: USD PAID BY THE ATP WEB SITE: www.dubaitennischampionships.comQualifying draw: Friday, February 20, 9:00 p.m. Main draw: Saturday, February 21, 3:00 p.m.Doubles draw: Saturday, February 21, 6:00 p.m. ATP Ranking Points W: 500 F: 300 SF: 180 QF: 90 R16: 45 R32: 0 Q: +20 MAIN DRAW[1] Novak Djokovic (SRB) - Qualifier Jan Hernych (CZE) - Mikhail Youzhny (RUS) Jurgen Melzer (AUT) - Julien Benneteau (FRA) Janko Tipsarevic (SRB) - [5] Marin Cilic (CRO)[3] Gilles Simon (FRA) - [WC] Mohammad Ghareeb (KUW) Teimuraz Gabashvili (RUS) - Qualifier Victor Hanescu (ROU) - Fabrice Santoro (FRA) Qualifier - [7] Ivo Karlovic (CRO)[6] Igor Andreev (RUS) - Feliciano Lopez (ESP) Dmitry Tursunov (RUS) - [WC] Andreas Seppi (ITA) Philipp Kohlschreiber (GER) - Qualifier Ivan Ljubicic (CRO) - [4] David Ferrer (ESP)
[8WC] Marat Safin (RUS) - Richard Gasquet (FRA)[/color] Viktor Troicki (SRB) - Simone Bolelli (ITA) Rainer Schuettler (GER) - Arnaud Clement (FRA) Sergiy Stakhovsky (UKR) - [2] Andy Murray (GBR)Place Marat was a finalist all the way back in 01 i think but id be over the moon if he made it past the 1st round in his first 500 appearance! |
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Post by celina09 on Feb 19, 2009 19:32:25 GMT 3
Hi All, I've been a longtime lurker of this site and really enjoy checking in everyday to catch up on all the Marat news, pics and gossip (you guys do a great job). For some reason, this topic actually compelled me to finally register  Firstly I want to say I have lived in Dubai for the past 5 years and really really hope that Marat comes to play here as I'd love to see him in action one last time before he retires. For what it's worth, I also kind of wanted to just add my two cents on the whole visa fiasco. Without trying to cause any kind of debate or controversy, I thought maybe it would be worth hearing from someone who actually lives in Dubai for a different perspective on this issue. I do personally believe that sport and politics should be kept separate, however, the UAE does not have, (and never has had) diplomatic relations with Israel. As a result citizens of Israel have never been granted entry visas to the UAE. This is something that the WTA and ATP must have been aware of, before bringing the events here (which makes their current indignation slightly bemusing :  . I believe on previous occassions exceptions have been made, to allow Israeli tennis players to play here. As a result of recent events in Gaza, however, tensions have been running extremely high and a lot of people I know, most of whom are avid tennis fans, would have boycotted (and in some cases demonstrated) at the event had a visa been granted to Shahar Peer. The general feeling around here is that during the conflict, doctors, medical supplies, food supplies were denied to civilians in Gaza, and that given that Shahar is a member of the Israeli army (although I believe she only has a minor administrative role, and that military service is compulsory in Israel), talk about the "injustice" of her not being allowed to play what is essentially a game, is a little hard to swallow for a lot of people. I have nothing against Shahar as an individual, and I realise tit for tat never solves anything, however, I can also see the other side to this story and can, in some ways, understand the decision. I only hope that the event is not scrapped as it would be such a shame for tennis in the region. The Dubai Tennis Championships have always been a fun and very well run and organised event. Admittedly the current matter has not been handled well by the organisers (leaving it until the last minute to deny the visa etc). However, I hope that maybe next year after tensions have cooled, the event will be allowed to continue. anyway, like I said the above is just MHO, I would love to see Marat play one last time and truly hope he too does not develop any "injuries" in the interim which would prevent him from doing so. |
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Post by maratsmaiden on Feb 19, 2009 20:14:36 GMT 3
very well said celina09. Thank you for the insight. Marat doesn't seem to get too involved with these political matters, so, I don't think this would deter him from coming.
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Post by SAFINNO1 on Feb 19, 2009 20:53:51 GMT 3
Andy Ram has been gven his visa for Dubai. It's all okay on that behalf then how do the authorities justify Shahar Peers refusal - is she more of a threat than Ram???
Shame about Rafa and Feli's withdrawal - lets hope Murray appears and Nole wont pull out if he wins in Marseille
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Post by Dina on Feb 19, 2009 21:04:56 GMT 3
that's been days that I hear and read about this issue and I didn't wanna get into it but I can't seem to just let it go!! without getting into the details and giving my thoughts about this I REALLY believe that for the moment Israeli players shouldn't go to the tournament for security issues! we already saw how dangerous it gets when poilitics get involved into sports; believe it or not the Arab and Muslim people are so angry now about the massacre in Gaza that it would be way safer for those guys to give up on that tourny just for their own sakes! and if I might say I don't think it is for us to judge whether it is right or wrong that UAE doesn't give visas to Israelis, politics and sports never combine but sometimes u get to look at the matter closer and from both sides before judging! and it would really be a shame to lose that tourny which is highly appreciated by all the the players!!!
wish luck to Maratik!!!
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Post by yarina on Feb 20, 2009 1:37:22 GMT 3
Hi All, I've been a longtime lurker of this site and really enjoy checking in everyday to catch up on all the Marat news, pics and gossip (you guys do a great job). For some reason, this topic actually compelled me to finally register Welcome to TGRF, Celina, and thanks for the insight on the visa issues! |
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Post by celina09 on Feb 20, 2009 21:35:11 GMT 3
thanks for the welcome guys  |
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Post by SAFINNO1 on Feb 21, 2009 1:33:56 GMT 3
Andy Roddick joins Roger, Rafa, Feli and Kolya in withdrawing.
Lets hope Marat can do well here for once in a while!
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Post by maryb on Feb 21, 2009 17:58:40 GMT 3
Annette, don't worry about the Big Yin when he gets to play Andy ... Andy's mind will be on playing Davis Cup the following week at Braehead, worrying about how he can wrestle the sausage roll out of my hands ...
My Big Pixie plays better in the sun. Good job that he's not coming to Scotland then ...
;D ;D ;D
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Post by SAFINNO1 on Feb 21, 2009 18:48:26 GMT 3
Oh, I don't worry about him playing Andy, Mary - Marat won't make it that far, anyways.  *whispering* Plus, I want a final Murray - Djokovic.  Ditto - Murray and Djokovic lead a very very unexciting field and final should be the highlight although a Safin/Gasquet v Murray QF would be nice H2H in favour for Marat but havent played since 06 - Davis Cup tie was a fine performance from Marat, but Marat has had a W/O and beaten Richard twice in 02 - not the player he is now Gasquet, Richard 1-3 Safin, Marat 2006 ATP Masters Series Paris France Carpet R16 Safin W/O 2006 Lyon France Carpet R32 Gasquet 6-4 7-6(5) 2006 FRA v. RUS WG Qtrs Pau, France Carpet RR Safin 7-6(4) 4-6 6-3 6-7(1) 6-1 2002 Lyon France Carpet R32 Safin 6-4 7-6(5) 2002 ATP Masters Series Monte Carlo Monaco Clay R32 Safin 6-4 6-1 |
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Post by maryb on Feb 21, 2009 19:05:38 GMT 3
Oh, I don't worry about him playing Andy, Mary - Marat won't make it that far, anyways. *whispering* Plus, I want a final Murray - Djokovic. Ok my Big Pixie, the gauntlet has been thrown down ... ;D Go for it. Get to the quarters, beat Andy so he doesn't pick up an injury pre-Davis Cup ... and I promise to buy you pasta every day at Wimbles. Sorted. ;D Win the title, I'll even cook the pasta and serve it to you!  Think the chest infection may have seeped into my brain ... |
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Post by Annie on Feb 21, 2009 21:51:47 GMT 3
Okaaaaaaay.... on to the next tournament.... LMFAO Excuse my pessimistic mood ;p; |
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Post by SAFINNO1 on Feb 22, 2009 16:42:06 GMT 3
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Post by Dina on Feb 22, 2009 18:57:56 GMT 3
Marat's playing doubles as well; pairing with David Ferrer! they'll play their first round again Kevin Ullyett and Ram!
bet it makes u smile Mary; he'll practice his net reflexes again!
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Post by maryb on Feb 22, 2009 23:17:59 GMT 3
My Big Pixie makes me smile when he focuses ... and plays his game, at the net or on the baseline. (Though you know where my preference lies ...) When he's a bad boy on court ... let's not go there. ;D Keep the blonde on ice until you're ready to leave Dubai, Big Yin. You can give her another farewell present then. I want 100% concentration on tennis ... we don't have much preparation time for Wimbles ... I have hard cash on you again. It's my last chance to get my sweaty mitts on the trophy ... get focused, and get that brain connected to the body. ;D FG |
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*whispering* Plus, I want a final Murray - Djokovic. 
