Fans attending opening day's matches.
Doha: Belgium, Uruguay, Paraguay and France notched up victories as the Qatar Ooredoo World Padel Championship 2021 kicked off in Doha yesterday.
The opening day saw thrilling action with a sizable crowd attending the games at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex.
The Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani also attended the inaugural day’s action while Their Excellencies Sheikhs, ministers, senior officials, guests of the championship were also present.
Hosts Qatar, who qualified for the event on Saturday, suffered a 3-0 defeat to Belgium in their opening match.
In the first match of the day Belgium’s Montucelle Laurent and Peters Jermo defeated Qatar’s Abdulaziz Saadoun Al-Kuwari and Muhamed Abdullah 6-2 and 6-3.
In the second match, Belgium’s Jens Clement and Gardere Francis beat Qatar’s Mohameed Saadoun Al Kuwari and Abdullah Al Hajji 6-2, 6-1. In the third match, Belgium’s Gala Jeremy and Quini Dominic won 6-0 and 6-1.
In other matches, Uruguay defeated Denmark 3-0 while Paraguay defeated Poland 3-0, with France sealing a 3-0 victory over Germany.
Qatari team will meet their Italian counterparts in the second round today.
A total of 320 players representing 16 nations are taking part in the padel showpiece event, which is taking place for the first time in Asia. Qatar Tennis, Squash and Badminton Federation (QTSBF) is organising the competition, which will conclude on November 20.
Qatar players in action yesterday.
Meanwhile, QTSBF President Nasser Al Khelaifi said that the 2021 Padel World Championship will be an exceptional tournament.
In a statement this evening, Al Khelaifi congratulated the Qatari players who succeeded in qualifying for the 2021 Padel World Championship.
Al Khelaifi welcomed all the guests of the tournament, including the stars of the Padel sport in the world, who are participating in this great event hosted by Qatar for the first time, hoping that they will live a special experience and enjoy the tournament and the warm reception of Qatar.
