Williams, Azarenka face early test

A week after losing the ATP Thailand Open to China, Thai fans now have something to cheer about, with the world two best two players due to play at 5pm on December 28 at Centennial Park, Hua Hin.

 “We are absolutely delighted to welcome the two best players in women’s tennis to compete in this year’s Hua Hin World Tennis Invitation. The chance to watch No 1 and No 2 players in the world in action is something that cannot be missed,” said Lawn Tennis Association of Thailand Suwat Liptapanlop.

The players will arrive in Bangkok on December 27 and take part in activities for the next two days, he added.

Williams and Azarenka have between them bagged three of the four Grand Slam titles this year. While Azarenka started the year by defending her title in Melbourne, Serena dominated the French Open and US Open.

Williams will be playing in Hua Hin for the first time.

The world No 1 has had of the best seasons of her career, grabbing 11 WTA singles titles with a 78-4 win-loss record in 2013. The oldest No 1 player in tennis history at 31, Williams finished her year in style by winning the WTA Championships. Now one of the most successful players in history, she has no plans of stopping anytime soon despite compiling 57 WTA singles titles, including 17 Grand Slam singles and 15 doubles and mixed doubles Grand Slam titles, and four Olympic gold medals. She is the only player in history to achieve the Golden Slam (Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, US Open and Olympic gold medal) in both singles and doubles.

Azarenka will be looking to repeat successful starts to her last two years. This will be her third consecutive Hua Hin World Tennis Invitation, with her two previous visits heralding back-to-back Australian Open titles straight after.

Azarenka has won 17 WTA singles titles so far, including three this year. Before Williams reclaimed the top spot in 2013, the Belarussian held the No 1 ranking for 51 weeks. She has won four Grand Slam titles plus an Olympic gold medal.

The match between Williams and Azarenka will be broadcast live on Channel 3, and on Eurosport and the US Channel.

Tickets for the match are Bt1,500 at all outlets of ThaiTicketMajor, Major Cineplex Hua Hin and the InterContinental Hua Hin Resort.

 

Bruguera to coach Gasquet

French No 1 tennis player Richard Gasquet has chosen two-time Roland Garros winner Sergi Bruguera as his new coach, sources close to the player confirmed.

Bruguera, who won the French Open in 1993 and 1994, takes over from Italy’s Riccardo Piatti, as had been reported by French sports daily L’Equipe earlier in the day.

The 42-year-old Spaniard, a former world No 3 who won 12 titles mostly on clay, will work alongside France’s Sibastien Grosjean as Gasquet’s coach.

Piatti split with Gasquet earlier this month citing “purely personal reasons”.

“The three seasons that I spent with Richard Gasquet were very important for me,” explained the former coach of Novak Djokovic and Ivan Ljubicic, adding he had “other projects” he wanted to pursue.