It was a difficult day for both Emirati players in the qualifying draw yesterday, with Omar Behroozian and Hamad Janahi losing in the first round, but the pair can find some solace in Alize Cornet’s fine performance in the women’s tournament.
Both Behroozian and Janahi have acted as hitting partners for Cornet throughout the past week, and with the former being right-handed and the latter being a lefty, the French-woman has been getting the best of both worlds en route to the women's final.
Janahi lost 6-2, 6-1 to Dutch exworld No40 Thiemo de Bakker early yesterday, while Behroozian had a rough time against Russia’s Andrey Kuznetsov, losing 6-0, 6-1 to the former world No68.
“I started well and stayed on serve until two-all but then I messed up with one double fault and got broken,” Janahi told Sport360°.
“He serves huge, so it was really difficult trying to break him back.”
The 23-year-old Emirati said he’s been enjoying hitting with Cornet during the week and was thrilled to see her make the final.
“Alize has been great and she’s enjoyed having both a lefty and a righty to hit with her,” said Janahi.
“She’s been on fire and she’s such a nice girl, always smiling and positive.”
Other qualifying action saw Sergei Bubka Jr lose to Jesse Huta Galung 6-4, 6-0. The Ukrainian, son of pole-vaulting legend Sergei Bubka, is playing his third tournament back after suffering a freak accident, falling from the third floor of a building in Paris in November 2012.
Bubka Jr may have lost his qualifying match, but he’s grateful to be back on the court.
“I’m really thankful to the tournament organisers for giving me the wildcard into the qualifying draw,” said the 27-year-old.
“Unfortunately this time didn’t go as well as I hoped, but it’s difficult to expect something great right now. It’s only my third tournament back. Just to be competing again feels great.”
