Tennis queen Anna Kournikova will add a healthy slice of glamour when she joins a host of international celebrities in Doha tomorrow (Friday) on the second day of the 2008 Commercialbank Qatar Masters, Presented by Dolphin Energy.

 

Kournikova, who retired from the ladies’ tour in 2003, has jetted in with Bollywood stars Shilpa Shetty and Bipasha Basu, singer and actress Natalie Imbruglia, actor Omar Sharif and US sprinter Carl Lewis when the second round of the PGA European Tour tees up at Doha Golf Club tomorrow.

 

Like the six celebrities who played in the pre-event Rolex Pro-Am, Kournikova has accepted an invitation from title sponsors Commercialbank and is sure to be as great an attraction for sports fans as the likes of golfers Sergio Garcia and Adam Scott.

 

Although she never won a singles tournament, 26 year-old Kournikova did claim two Australian Open ladies doubles titles with Switzerland’s Martina Hingis in 1999 and 2002, while her celebrity status made her one of the best known tennis players worldwide.

 

Andrew Stevens, Group CEO of Commercialbank, title sponsors of the Commercialbank Qatar Masters, Presented by Dolphin Energy, said the celebrity invites will take the tournament to an even greater audience. ”Thanks to the success of the Commercialbank Qatar Masters and the Qatar Masters tennis tournament, more and more people have become aware of the city of Doha and what Qatar has to offer in terms of sporting attractions,” he said.

 

“The city’s bid to host the 2016 Olympics is a bold and visionary move that we aim to showcase to our celebrity guests like Anna Kournikova.”

 

On the opening day of the $2.5 million tournament blustery conditions failed to blow out the charge of an in-form Lee Westwood, the current leader of the European Tour Order Of Merit. The Englishman shot a first round 67 (-5) to enjoy a share of the lead with South Africa’s Anton Haig.

 

“My confidence is good obviously,” said Westwood (pictured below). “I think ten Top 10's in the last eleven events can't help but make me confident. You're always a bit mindful when you have a long break, but in the middle of that long break, I finished fourth in Tiger's event. Last week in Abu Dhabi I came out and started slowly, fell a little rusty especially on the greens but got it going on Saturday and got into the tournament and had a chance on Sunday.”

 

But while Westwood has kept his good form from Abu Dhabi – where he finished joint second – last week’s champion had a less than sparkling day as Germany’s Martin Kaymer shot a three-over par 75.

 

“I remember when I won my first tournament, it was nearly impossible to concentrate the following week so I'm not surprised he shot a few over today,” added Westwood.

 

As well as good rounds for Westwood and Haig, there were positive early moves for England’s Paul Broadhurst, former champion Henrik Stenson, Germany’s Marcel Siem and Johan Edfors of Sweden who all carded first round scores of 69 (-3) to sit two behind the early leaders.