DOHA, Dec 26: In a surprising turn of events at the Third Arab Elite Tennis Championship hosted by Qatar, Syrian player Mohamed Hazem emerged victorious over the top-seeded Benjamin Hassan from Lebanon in a thrilling quarter-final match. Hazem secured the win in two sets, 7-6, 6-2, at the Khalifa International Tennis Complex in Doha.

Now advancing to the semi-finals, Hazem is set to face Egyptian contender Mohamed Safwat in a highly anticipated match scheduled for today.

Tunisian player Mohamed Aziz Dagaz secured a spot in the semi-finals by defeating Egyptian Karim Mamoun with a decisive 6-2, 6-3 victory. He will face Lebanese player Hadi Habib, who, in turn, overcame Moroccan Yassin Al-Dulaimi in straight sets  7-5, 6-2.

Speaking on the tournament, Mohamed Safwat emphasized the pivotal role played by the Arab Federation in elevating Arab tennis to new heights. He acknowledged the championship's contribution to enhancing the game's level and fostering enthusiasm among emerging Arab players.

Walid Sami, Assistant Secretary-General of the Arab Tennis Federation and Secretary-General of the Egyptian Tennis Federation, expressed satisfaction with the tournament's success. He stated that Sheikh Ahmed Al-Jaber, heading the Arab Tennis Federation, aims to continue organizing the championship in the coming years, ensuring its regular occurrence. Sami commended the collaborative efforts of the Qatari Federation in successfully organizing the event and extended gratitude to sponsors, including the main sponsor Al Ahli Bank of Kuwait and KGL Company, for their support.