The Hindu : Sport / Tennis : Hingis to play at Sunfeast Open

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Thursday, Jul 13, 2006

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Sport - Tennis

Hingis to play at Sunfeast Open

Principal Correspondent

KOLKATA: Former World No. 1 Martina Hingis will be the prime attraction in this year's Sunfeast Open tennis tournament, which will be held here at the Netaji Indoor Stadium from September 18 to 24.

The Swiss player's participation was confirmed here on Wednesday by Mahesh Bhupathi, whose company Globosport is promoting the event.

Hingis, currently ranked 13 in the world, is the first foreign player to confirm her participation. Other big names are expected to be added soon.

"I have heard a lot about Indian tradition and the excitement the WTA is creating in the country. I'm very excited to come and play in front of tennis fans at Kolkata. I can't wait for September," Hingis said in a statement.

Sania Mirza will be the other attraction in the tournament.

Bhupathi backs Sania

Speaking about the Indian star, Bhupathi said that the recent fall in her rankings did not indicate a slump in form.

"It is only that she got very tough opponents like Anastasia Myskina and Elena Dementieva in the French Open and Wimbledon," he said.

"Her career is definitely on the up and her prime will come in another two or three years. I hope she will hit the top 10 rankings by that time," said Bhupathi, whose company also manages Mirza's professional obligations.

Inspired by the success of last year's edition where thousands of students participated in the trophy design competition, the sponsor announced that a similar competition would be held in six cities across the country. In all, 400 schools and six lakh students are expected to take part in the competition.

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