The Hindu : Sport / Tennis : Bangalore Open moves up a tier

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Thursday, Jan 03, 2008
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Bangalore Open moves up a tier

Special Correspondent

BANGALORE: The Bangalore Open, the premier event of the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour in India, is poised to take a quantum leap as the tournament, to be held in March, will be a mega Tier II affair with an overall purse of $600,000.

The tournament, which was a $170,000 Tier III event last year, will also be India’s richest tennis tournament.

Confirming the elevation, the WTA spokesman, Roger Gatchalian, responding to an e-mail from The Hindu, said “I can confirm that it is a Tier II championship with $600,000 prize money.”

“I expect top two or three players from the world’s top 10 will be there at Bangalore, depending on their on their other schedule and commitment”, added the spokesman.

It may be recalled that Australian Open winner Serena Williams, who was supposed to play in last year’s event, pulled out citing ill health.

But the WTA Tour and local organisers expect her to come this year along with few other top 10 players besides Sania Mirza providing a top of the draw field. If Maria Sharapova makes it, her presence would certainly push up the glamour quotient of the show.

According to WTA Tour, the draw list is expected to be finalised six weeks ahead of the event.

The championship comes as a big consolation for the KSLTA which had lost out on its bid to host the WTA Year-ender from 2008 to 2010.

The KSLTA will formally announce the event shortly, after signing a title sponsor.

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