Ivanovic latest star set for Pattaya Open
Former world No 1 Ana Ivanovic of Serbia will return early next year for the PTT Pattaya Open, at the Dusit Thani Hotel from January 27 to February 3.
The 2008 French Open champion made her first appearance at the resort city in 2011, losing to Italian Roberta Vinci in the quarter-finals.
Ivanovic, currently ranked No 13 in the world and an 11-time WTA title-winner, will be seeking her third trophy in Asia, having won twice in Bali.
The 2013 PTT Pattaya Open has moved to a new date, after the Australian Open, and increased prize money to US$235,000m. Awaiting the winner is a cheque for US$40,000 and 280 ranking points.
Another form player in Pattaya will be Maria Kirilenko of Russia. She reached the final of the Pattaya Open this year, losing narrowly to Daniela Hantuchova. She finished the 2012 season ranked No 14 in the world in singles and No 7 in doubles, partnering Nadia Petrova.
Two-time champion and crowd favourite Vera Zvonareva of Russia will be making her fifth-successive appearance in Pattaya. Her 2012 season was blighted by injury, which has kept her out of competition since Wimbledon.
But Zvonareva, Pattaya champ in 2009 and 2010, has returned to fitness and will be eager to complete a hat-trick of titles next year.
Also making a return is Sabine Lisicki of Germany. Like Zvonareva, her season was marred by injuries, yet despite the setbacks she ended 2012 ranked No 37 in the world on the back of good performances at Wimbledon, where she reached the quarter-finals, and a fourth-round spot at the Australian Open.
With the entry list not finalised until December 17, many more star players are expected at the Pattaya Open, which is celebrating its 22nd anniversary, making it one of the longest-running tournaments on the WTA calendar.
The 2013 PTT Pattaya Open will commence with the qualifying rounds on January 27 and 28, with the main-draw matches starting on January 28 from 3pm daily.
For tickets, call (02) 3113414/5 or visit www.PentanglePromotions.com.
Elsewhere, in the Dunlop World Challenge tournament in Toyota, fifth-seeded Tamarine Tanasugarn ousted Japanese Akiko Omae 6-3 6-3 in the women’s singles first round. In the men’s doubles, top seed Sonchat and Sanchai Ratiwatana beat Dutchman Stephan Fransen and Australian John Millan 7-6 (7-2) 6-3.
