Commercial Bank CHI AL SHAQAB Presented by Longines offers dazzling mix of equestrian sport & entertainment

Doha: The magnificent Longines Arena at Al Shaqab, a member of Qatar Foundation, is all set and ready to welcome the world’s top riders and horses, when Commercial Bank CHI AL SHAQAB Presented by Longines 2022 gets under way from the 24th to the 26th of February. A star-studded contingent of 95 riders from 24 countries, and 146 elite competition horses from around the globe, has already touched down in Doha – primed to dazzle and impress the crowds as they compete for glory in Al Shaqab’s signature event, which will be organized for the ninth time at Qatar’s iconic equestrian destination. The much-anticipated international event will provide equestrian sport lovers with a unique opportunity to be a part of the strongest and only championship of its kind in the Middle East and Asia region, as they witness three days of unparalleled action and entertainment unfold in the Olympic disciplines of showjumping, dressage, and para dressage. At a press conference held at Al Shaqab on February 22 to officially launch this year’s event, Omar Al Mannai, Event Director, Commercial Bank CHI AL SHAQAB Presented by Longines, and Commercial Manager, Al Shaqab, said: “Once again, Al Shaqab is delighted to welcome the world’s best riders and horses to Qatar. They love the amazing facilities, training conditions and competition set-up here, and it shows in the number of champion riders who keep returning for CHI AL SHAQAB.” This year’s rider’s list is filled with the names of the biggest stars in equestrian sport. Sweden’s Peder Fredricson, ranked world number one in the latest FEI Longines Jumping Rankings, headlines the event entries. Last year’s five-star Grand Prix winner, Germany’s Christian Ahlmann, returns in the hunt for further honors, and will be joined by a host of CHI AL SHAQAB champions and top-ranked riders, including Great Britain’s Scott Brash, Australia’s Edwina Tops-Alexander, and Belgium’s Pieter Devos. Flying the flag for Qatar will be Wejdan Majed Al Malki, who will be participating in the dressage category, and the showjumping trio of Hamad Nasser Al Qadi - fresh off his second successive Emir Sword title triumph - Faleh Suwead Al Ajami, and Nasser Al Ghazali. Al Mannai said: “To be able to see the top athletes compete in a truly world-class competition is an incredible opportunity for the equestrian community here in Qatar, and for sport lovers in general. It has been tremendously encouraging, and satisfying, to note the event grow bigger and better with every passing year, regardless of the challenges faced. “This is a credit to everyone involved with Commercial Bank CHI AL SHAQAB Presented by Longines, including the participants, fans, Organizing Committee and other team members. Special mention must go to the event sponsors, who have shown their commitment towards supporting equestrian sport in Qatar.” Commercial Bank is the Title Sponsor, Longines is the Presenting Partner, and ExxonMobil Qatar is the Main Sponsor. Joseph Abraham, Group CEO, Commercial Bank, said: “Commercial Bank is pleased to play its part in Qatar’s sporting success story and to support Qatar’s national vision of being a world-class sports hub through its sponsorship of this premier equestrian competition.” Hussein Ali Al-Abdulla, EGM & Chief Marketing Officer, Commercial Bank, said: “I’m delighted that Commercial Bank will once again be the Title Sponsor of CHI AL SHAQAB. We’re looking forward to being a part of a truly exceptional equestrian competition. Commercial Bank appreciates the importance of sports in the social and economic development of Qatar, and is committed to supporting Qatar’s vision to be an international sporting hub.” Saleh Al Mana, Vice President and Director of Government and Public Affairs, ExxonMobil Qatar, said: “We’re excited to be part of this year’s CHI AL SHAQAB as a main sponsor and to continue our support for Al Shaqab and its programs and events. Our partnership with Al Shaqab is inspired by the Qatar National Vision 2030 and driven by a commitment to prepare young people for a rapidly changing world by instilling the values, motivation and confidence they will require to meet future challenges.” Al Shaqab is also proud of its long-term association with Longines, which is the Presenting Partner of CHI AL SHAQAB. Al Mannai said: “This relationship is underscored by the name of the competition venue, with the Longines Arena at Al Shaqab representing the perfect location for the world’s best riders and horses to come together and compete for the ultimate honor of being crowned a champion at CHI AL SHAQAB.”  

Sabalenka downs Cornet as Jabeur advances into round of 16

Doha: Top-seed Aryna Sabalenka defeated Alize Cornet 6-2, 6-2 in 74 minutes on Tuesday to secure a round of 16 berths where she will be up against Jil Teichmann. The Belarussian committed just four double faults and did not face a single breakpoint. She also won 15 of 23 points on Cornet's second serve. No. 8-seeded Ons Jabeur endured a sluggish start before recovering and repelling qualifier Aleksandra Sasnovich 1-6, 7-5, 6-3. Next up for Jabeur is Tereza Martincova, a 6-2, 6-4 victor over lucky loser Arantxa Rus. No.15 seed Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia won her seventh straight match by outlasting Amanda Anisimova of the United States 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 in the second round of the Qatar TotalEnergies Open on Tuesday. Back in the Top 20 for the first time since October 2018, former Roland Garros champion Ostapenko is now in the Doha round of 16 after her 1-hour and 39-minute victory over Anisimova. Meanwhile, Madison Brengle of the United States moved into the round of 16 after No.12 seed, and two-time Doha champion Victoria Azarenka of Belarus withdrew from their scheduled second-round clash. Defending champion Petra Kvitova called for the trainer and opted to retire due to a left wrist injury in the second set of her second-round match against No.16 seed Elise Mertens, the 2019 champion, on Tuesday. There was little to separate the former champions in a narrowly-contested first set which threw up seven breaks of serve in total, and momentum swung between both as their form oscillated in the wind. Mertens, deploying extreme forehand slice to superb effect to further disrupt Kvitova's rhythm, was unable to serve out the set at 5-4 after committing consecutive double faults but made no mistake with her second opportunity. Kvitova had held for 2-1 in the second set before the Czech's retirement. Mertens will next face No.4 seed Anett Kontaveit.

Qatar Golf Association to organize Commercial Bank Qatar Masters in March 2022

DOHA -  Qatar Golf Association  announced on Monday  that it will organize the 25th edition of Commercial Bank Qatar Masters from March 24-27, 2022 at Doha Golf Club. The event is organized in cooperation with the Qatar Olympic Committee and Doha Golf Club and under the sponsorship of Commercial Bank Qatar. The Commercial Bank Qatar Masters is an annual golf tournament that is part of The DP World Tour, where many of the world’s top golfers competed on Doha Golf Club’s challenging desert-style championship course, which is one of the longest par 72 courses on the tour. The Championship course boasts a full length driving range, 8 lakes on the course, and thousands of trees and shrubs. The wind is notorious for creeping up in the afternoon, and this can quickly become a force to be reckoned with when you play. Morning tee times, in contrast, tend to be more benign in terms of playing conditions.

Ostapenko qualifies to second round of Qatar TotalEnergies Open

Doha: Jelena Ostapenko, the World No. 13, secured a straight-set 6-4, 6-2 first-round win over France's Oceane Dodin at the Qatar TotalEnergies Open yesterday. Ostapenko, the 15th-seed and a former finalist in Doha, four straight games to steal the first set after No.93. Dodin had initially led 3-0. The Latvian player rounded into form on serve by the time the 82-minute match concluded—she landed 66% of her first serves and hit eight aces—while a plethora of breakpoint chances helped her cause. Meanwhile, 2014 Doha champion and former World No.1 Simona Halep suffered a 4-6, 3-6 loss to France's Caroline Garcia. The victory was only the second for the French, a wildcard entrant, after nine career encounters between the duo and her first win against the Romanian in more than four years. In another enthralling encounter, Tereza Martincova battled through windy conditions and a dogged opponent in the first round of the Qatar TotalEnergies Open to upset No.10 seed Elina Svitolina 6-7(2), 7-5, 7-6(5) in 2 hours and 59 minutes.

Stage set for Commercial Bank CHI Al Shaqab presented by Longines

DOHA- 146 Elite Competition Horses arrived In Qatar For Commercial Bank CHI AL SHAQAB Presented By Longines. Three flights carrying 146 magnificent competition horses have touched down in Qatar’s dazzling capital city of Doha, ramping up preparations for Al Shaqab’s signature event, Commercial Bank CHI AL SHAQAB Presented by Longines 2022. The premier international equestrian event – the strongest and only championship of its kind in the Middle East and Asia region – takes place at the iconic Longines Arena at Al Shaqab, a member of Qatar Foundation, from the 24th to the 26thof February. The elite showjumping and dressage horses, which hail from countries all around the world, first made their way to Belgium from various global departure points over the past few days. They then began their journey to Doha, nose-to-tail, on specially chartered flights designed to preserve the welfare of the horses. The final flight arrived in Qatar on February 20, and the powerful and breathtakingly beautiful horses are primed for action with the world’s best riders at Commercial Bank CHI AL SHAQAB Presented by Longines 2022. Riders for Great Britain include John and Jack Whitaker, Scott Brash and Jodie Hall McAteer, with Irelands contingent featuring Anthony Condon, Michael Duffy, Michael G Duffy, Shane Breen, Denis Lynch and Michael Pender. 2021 victor, Peder Fredricson will be riding alongside a strong Swedish lineup including Henrik von Eckermann.

Tauson upsets Bencic in Doha debut, Azarenka advance into second round

DOHA- Denmark's teen sensation Clara Tauson earned an upset victory in her first-ever main-draw match at a WTA 1000 event on Sunday. The 19-year-old kicked off Day 1 of the Qatar TotalEnergies Open with a 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 win over reigning Olympic gold medalist Belinda Bencic in just short of two hours. The victory levels Tauson's career record against Top 30 players to 4-4 and earns her a second meeting with a Top 10 player this season. She'll face No.3 seed Paula Badosa in the second round. Tauson is just the second Danish player playing in Qatar, joining former World No.1 Caroline Wozniacki. Victoria Azarenka, 12th-seed and two-time champion, staged an exciting comeback to defeat Yulia Putintseva 5-7,6-2, 7-5 to set up a second-round clash against USA's Madison Brengle, who defeated Ipek Oz 7-5, 6-3 in the earlier encounter. World No. 57 Ann Li also secured her second-round spot as well, after she knocked out 2020 Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin 6-3, 6-7(5), 6-3 in an all-American affair while  No.9 seed Jessica Pegula of the United States knocked out Katerina Siniakova of the Czech Republic 6-3, 6-2 in an hour and 8 minutes. 14th-ranked Pegula converted four of her nine breakpoints and won 70 percent of second-service return points against Siniakova, the current WTA Doubles World No.1. Meanwhile, Belgium's Alison Van Uytvanck improved her head-to-head lead over Vera Zvonareva to 3-0, defeating the 2011 champion in straight sets in the first round of the Qatar TotalEnergies Open.