Abu Dhabi aces ‘target’ for MWTC glory after Galleria Al Maryah penalty shootout

From left: Dan Evans, Taylor Fritz, Belinda Bencic, Denis Shapovalov, Andy Murray and Andrey Rublev pose in the picture on The Gallery on Al Maryah Island on Wednesday.

Gulf Today, HR Editor

The star-filled line-up of this week’s Mubadala Tennis World Championships took its toll on a run-off in a fun, competitive penalty shootout at SkyPark on The Galleria Al Maryah Island on Wednesday.

Two-time MWTC champion Andy Murray, 5th in the world Andrey Rublev, 14th in the world Denis Shapovalov, US number one Taylor Fritz, British star Dan Evans and Tokyo Olympics gold medalist Belinda Bencic met in a competition where their tennis was tested. information and shot accuracy.

Each player was given 60 seconds to answer questions about tennis, after which his task was to shoot balls through various holes 4 to 10 inches in circumference.

With each hole offering players different points and the smallest holes just a little wider than a regular tennis ball, Evans emerged as the winner of an exciting and fun encounter by collecting 25 points.

Meanwhile, Ons Jabeur, the highest-ranked Arab player of all time, joined the stellar line-up at the last minute to replace US Open champion Emma Raducanu, who had to withdraw after a positive COVID-19 test.

Jabeur will face Tokyo Olympic gold medalist Belinda Bencic in a women’s one-off match on Thursday night in the men’s semi-finals, where Fritz will face Shapovalov and Evans horns with Murray.

Jabeur, Africa’s number one, has enjoyed a strong season. She has reached the quarterfinals at Wimbledon and won her virgin WTA championship by defeating Daria Kasatkina in the Birmingham Classic, making history the first Arab to win a WTA Tour.

“I am proud and honored to be the first Arab to play in the Mubadala World Tennis Championship. 2021 has been a great year for me and I know the championship is the best start to an exciting season in 2022,” Jabeur said.

Murray, who has divorced longtime coach Jamie Delgado before through 2022, said his future as a professional tennis player will be decided next season, adding that he will not leave a “stone unturned” in his quest to return to football. the pinnacle of sport.