Victorious Israelis switch focus to Gulf

By Ossian Shine

MELBOURNE (Reuters) - Jonathan Erlich and Andy Ram put Israel on the grand slam map on Saturday when they won the men's doubles title at the Australian Open, but immediately turned their thoughts to improving Arab-Israeli relations by playing in a tournament in Dubai in March.

Erlich and Ram beat Frenchmen Arnaud Clement and Michael Llodra 7-5 7-6 to become the first Israeli pair to win a grand slam title.

The victory more than made amends for the defeat in Friday's women's final for their compatriot Shahar Peer and Victoria Azarenka of Belarus.

Peer, the women's world number 17, plans to compete in the Feb. 18-24 Qatar Open, which would make her the first Israeli to play a tour event in the Gulf region.

Erlich and Ram said they could follow suit by playing in the men's event in Dubai, from March 3-8.

"That's one of our plans," Ram told reporters. "We talked about it. We didn't decide 100 percent yet. But definitely it's something new we want to do."

Peer told Reuters last week that she had been reassured by tournament officials that she will be safe in Doha and Ram said the ATP were working to give them the same assurances.

"I believe it's going to be safe for us," Ram said. "The ATP will do all they can do to provide us the right security. All the top 20 players always play there, the best doubles teams.