Dubai: The UAE team member Hamad Abbas Al Janahi will be the top seed in the men's section for the Dubai qualifiers of the Kia Australian Open Amateur tennis tournament, to be held this week.
Talented youngster Aleksa Ilic has been seeded two, while Neil Bulilan from the Philippines is the third seed and the experienced Adel Toubia will be the fourth seed.
Promising juniors Ryan Addison and Stefan Muller have also been given seedings along with Christian Nathou and Michael Maksoudian.
Strong presence
Four players from Dubai will qualify for the main competition, to be held at the Marbella Resort Sharjah.
The draws were conducted by Tennis Emirates Technical Director Slah Bramly yesterday.
In the Sharjah draw, former Al Wasl coach Philip Adamo has been given the top seed while Cecil George is the second seed.
Sami Al Sa'adi and Ram Arun Castro will occupy the next two positions. Two players from Sharjah will qualify for the main draw.
The ladies event has attracted a full field of 16 players with Jennifer Smith given the top seeding ahead of Emily Leenen, Katrin Rutherford and Grace Talih.
The local challenge in the women's competition will be headed by Mariam Behroozian and Fatma Abbas Al Janahi.
Dubai will contribute half the number of players in the main competition, while qualifiers in Sharjah, Fujairah and Abu Dhabi will ensure the eight-player field is complete.
The draws for the Fujairah and Abu Dhabi qualifiers are scheduled to be held today.
The winner of the men's and women's competitions will represent the UAE at the Australian Open Amateur Tennis Championship to be held alongside the Australian Open next year.
The tournament is sponsored by Kia Motors and hosted by Marbella Resort Sharjah.
The format of the tournament is such that all amateur players in the country have a unique opportunity to play for the top prize.
This is the first time that this tournament is being held in the UAE.
Further information may be obtained from Ajay Kumar on 050-6327283.
