Maflahi moves ahead at Al Habtoor Tennis Cup

Mohammed Al Maflahi, Karim Elhelali and Ricardo Vieira all eased into the next round of the over-35 Masters Open competition at the 9th Al Habtoor Tennis Cup held at the HUBB Tennis Academy in Silicon Oasis, on Monday.

In an intense evening of tennis action, Maflahi showcased resilience and skill as he overcame a tough challenge from Shyngys Bekbergen to secure a hard-fought victory.

The match, which kept spectators on the edge of their seats, ended with Maflahi prevailing 6-4, 6-2, demonstrating his ability to handle pressure and close out crucial points against a formidable opponent.

Elhelali displayed consistency and composure as he navigated past Mustafa Alhashmi in a tightly contested battle. Both sets were closely fought, but Elhelali’s strategic play and determination earned him a well-deserved 6-4, 6-4 win, solidifying his reputation as a steady and reliable competitor.

In another match, Vieira delivered a commanding performance against Arunkumar Salvaraj. With a combination of precision and power, Vieira dominated from the outset, cruising to an emphatic 6-2, 6-2 victory. His ability to control the pace and dictate play left little room for his opponent to find a foothold in the match.

In the men’s open category, only one match could be contested during the session, but it delivered an impressive performance as Luka Cordas stormed past Rohit Ganeshan in dominant fashion. Displaying exceptional control and precision, Cordas secured a commanding 6-1, 6-1 victory, leaving little doubt about his current form and readiness for the challenges ahead.

Ganeshan, despite his best efforts, struggled to find answers to Cordas’ powerful groundstrokes and tactical play, which dictated the tempo throughout the match.

Faisal Khatri and Gabriel Raad advanced to the next round with walkovers from Ahmad Banammar and Faris Sadeq, respectively.

The second round of matches in both categories will be played late on Tuesday.

The annual tennis competition is being held for junior boys and girls in four separate age categories (under-12, 14, 16 and 18) and three contests for seniors - namely Men’s Open, Women’s Open and Masters (35 years and above).

Finals in all eleven categories to be held alongside 27th Al Habtoor Tennis Challenge on December 8.

This event is part of the ‘Road to Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open’ - the new community initiative developed by Mubadala in partnership with the UAE Tennis Federation, and under the umbrella of the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open.

The programme provides a unique pathway for aspiring players within the UAE to elevate their skills and make their mark on the global tennis stage. The Road to Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open series is fully sanctioned by the UAE Tennis Federation and will take place at multiple venues across Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Fujairah.

Points accumulated through the Road to Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open tournaments will not only contribute to a player’s official UAE ranking, but also to a distinct Road to Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open ranking.

At the end of the series, the top-8 players in each category will progress to a play-off system designed to determine the overall champions. The pinnacle of this competition will be witnessed during the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open in February, where the final Road to Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open will be played with the winners claiming their well-deserved titles.