Alexandra, Klara top seeded for Habtoor Tennis Challenge

Dubai - As usual, some of the world's top ranking players from 50 and below, will take part in the 32-player main draw.

 Alexandra Dulgheru of Romania has been given the pride of place in the seeding list for the 18th Al Habtoor Tennis Challenge (AHTC) which gets going at the Habtoor Grand beach resort in Dubai Marina from November 9-14.
As usual, some of the world's top  ranking players from 50 and below, will take part in the 32-player main draw. Entry to the event is free with action starting at 11am and 2pm, and continuing till around 9pm everyday day at the four-court facility.
The women's only championship, part of the ITF circuit, has $75,000 in prize money for the singles and doubles events.
Alexandra begins her title defence with a first round date with Martina Caregaro of Italy, 271 in the world, on Tuesday. Second seed Klara Koukalova, has been drawn to play one of the four qualifiers from the pre-event tournament now in progress at the venue.
Alexandra will be aiming to become the first singles player to retain the crown. All the eight qualifiers and wild cards will be playing in the lower half of the draw where Klara, 107th in the world, is expected to sail through to the title round.
Attending the Press conference on Sunday to announce the event was third seeded Russian, Alexandra Panova, a singles quarterfinalist and doubles winner in the 17th edition last season. She will be up against Ukraine's Nadiia Kichenok in the first round in the bottom half of the draw.
Panova said: "It's such a pleasure to be back here for a very professionally managed yet homely tournament like the Habtoor Challenge. I am here this time more focused on getting the singles crown as well."
Kristin Kucova and Buyukacay are seeded four and six respectively in the top half of the main draw while Elise Martens and Maria Sankarai, seeded five and eight respectively, are expected to give the lower half of the draw an equally high footing.
Also attending the announcement on the main table were Khalid Al Ali, public relations executive, Al Habtoor Group; Faisal Al Bannai, general manager, Tennis Emirates; Fredrik Reinisch, general manager, Habtoor Grand Beach Resort and Spa; Hany Khafief, tournament supervisor; and other officials.
moni@khaleejtimes.com