After four days of competitive tennis at Dubai Tennis Stadium, The Aviation Club, Jim Courier went one better this year, just as he intended, and has emerged as the champion of Emirates NBD’s The Legends “Rock” Dubai 2008 after defeating Stefan Edberg 6-3; 6-4; in the highly anticipated final between two great champions of tennis. The Dubai spectators were wowed by sheer elegance and the high caliber of tennis during all four days of the tournament.
Earlier in the week, Courier had dispatched of last years champion Paul Haarhuis in two sets 7-6; 6-4. After the match Courier said “I am glad to beat Paul this time, he is tough competitor and this win means a lot to me. It’s all about revenge for me this week and tomorrow I am looking forward to settling one more score against Sergi Bruguera, getting my revenge for the French Open final in 1993.” But this match awaited by many tennis fans did not take place due to Bruguera’s injury. Instead Wayne Ferreira took on the American and came out victorious 3-6; 6-4 (12-10 match tie break). Regardless of this result Courier moved into the final. In the other group another former world No.1, winner of 6 Grand Slams the great Stefan Edberg came out undefeated, by dispatching Wayne Ferreira 6-3; 6-2; and Anders Jarryd 7-5; 7-5. The Swede impressed the spectators at The Aviation Club with his flawless game, his deadly volleys and brilliant backhand, it was amazing to see how well he moved and covered the court.
The final was a clash of two titans with very contradicting styles, the elegant serve –and-volley of Edberg up against the base-line power of Courier. It was a very close match but the sheer power of Courier proved to be too much to handle for serve-and-volley extraordinaire. Dorothee Schweighoefer, General Manager of Delwood the organizer of Emirates NBD’s The Legends “Rock” Dubai said: “We are pleased with the way the tournament went this year, we had a wonderful line-up, great turnout, it was once again a very successful event and the quality of tennis was extraordinary and anyone who attended was not disappointed. We are looking forward to next year, when our Legends will “Rock” Dubai once again.”
Before the tournament got under way at The Aviation Club on Monday 17th November the official press conference took place at the InterContinental Dubai Festival City. The official press conference was followed by a very popular Kids Day on Tuesday 18th November at Jumeirah Beach Hotel; over 200 kids took part in the wonderful celebration of tennis. The event was set over four courts with different activities to amuse the children from all levels of tennis. Children from the Dubai Center for Special Needs and Dubai Autism Center also joined the Legends on court. Kids Day was proceeded by the Pro-AM, where guests of the tournament sponsors and organizers had the chance to meet all the players and try out their skills in the round robin doubles matches. The day concluded with The Legend’s Charity Gala Dinner held at the Jumeirah Beach Hotel. All eight Legends were in attendance and joined on stage by international stand up comedian Maz Jobrani. The highlight of the evening was the incredible dancing and singing performances from the children of the Dubai Center for Special Needs. The charity auction held by Christie’s was a tribute to the children of Dubai Center for Special Needs and Dubai Autism Center, with proceeds being donated to the Dubai Center for Special Needs and Dubai Autism Center, and before the action began at The Aviation Club on Wednesday 19th November the players made a surprise visit to the Dubai Center for Special Needs and Dubai Autism Center to meet the children and staff.
The event organizers Delwood would like to thank spectators for their participation in the tournament and all the sponsors title sponsor Emirates NBD, the official time keeper Rolex, official newspaper The National, official transportation Cadillac, Dubai Duty Free, Cougar Real Estate, Dubai Sports City, Showtime, official hotel InterContinental Dubai Festival City along with official host broadcaster Dubai Sports Channel, ENOC, Pocari Sweat and official host The Aviation Club, for their support in making this event possible.
Results:
Day1
Anders Jarryd defeating Wayne Ferreira 1-6; 6-1; 11-9 Match tie-break
Jim Courier and Mansour Bahrami defeating Stefan Edberg and John Fitzgerald 8-7 (10-8 Match tie-break)
Paul Haarhuis defeating Sergi Bruguera 7-5; 6-4;
Day 2
Stefan Edberg defeated Wayne Ferreira 6-3; 6-2;
M. Bahrami and S. Bruguera defeating A. Jarryd and J. Fitzgerald 8-7 (12-10 match tie break).
Jim Courier defeated Paul Haarhuis 7-6; 6-4;
Day 3
Stefan Edberg defeated Anders Jarryd 7-5; 7-5;
J. Fitzgerald and P. Haarhuis defeated M. Bahrami and W. Ferreira 8-7 (10-7 match tie-break)
Wayne Ferreira defeated Sergi Bruguera 3-6; 6-4; 12-10 (match tie break).
Day 4
Third place Match: Paul Haarhuis defeated Anders Jarryd 8-5 (one set played due to Jarryd’s injury)
M. Bahrami and P. Haarhuis defeated J. Fitzgerald and W. Ferreira 8-7 (12-10 match tie-break)
Championship Match: Jim Courier defeated Stefan Edberg 6-3; 6-4;
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