Zvonareva Set For Title Defence In Pattaya

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TENNIS

Zvonareva set for title defence in Pattaya

By The Nation

Zvonareva

World No 2 and two-time defending champion Vera Zvonareva from Russia, plus Serbian pinup girl Ana Ivanovic, head a star-studded lineup at the US$220,000 PTT Pattaya Open due at the Dusit Thani Hotel, Pattaya from February 6-13.

Zvonareva has reigned at the tournament in the last years, beating Indian Sania Mirza in 2009 and dashing hopes of a home title for Tamarine Tanasugarn 12 months ago. The Russian had her best season ever in 2010, reaching Wimbledon and US Open finals before making the semifinals at the yearend ATP World Tour Finals.

Voted Tournament of the Year by WTA players in 2010, the Pattaya Open this year features the strongest lineup in its history, with 30 per cent of the Bt40million budget going on appearance fees for star players.

Among them is former world No 1 and French Open champion Ivanovic, who looked to be finding her form again with wins in Linz and Bali at the end of last season. Her ranking has risen to No 17 in the world and is she is tipped for a return to the top 10 this year.

Russian beauty Maria Kirilenko is another hot talent scheduled to strut her stuff in the beach city. Kirilenko has powered to No 20 in the world thanks again to strong form in the latter part of 2010, when she reached the final in Moscow and a semifinal in New Haven. She is also an accomplished doubles player, winning tournaments in San Diego and Cincinnati.

Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia will be yet another star attraction this year. In 2010 Hantuchova was a finalist at Monterrey and semifinalist in San Diego. Glittering gems on her record include all four mixed doubles Grand Slam titles.

Leading the Thai contingent is Tamarine Tanasugarn, last year's runnerup and winner in Osaka in October. She returned to the top 100 last year and will be aiming to go one better this year and win the tournament. Former world junior No 1 Noppawan Lertcheewakarn will get one of the four wild cards.

Qualifying for the PTT Pattaya Open will be held on February 67, with the main draw running from February 713 and play starting at 3pm.

Tickets available at www.PentanglePromotions.com and www.Thaiticketmajor.com are Bt300 for qualifying, and Bt300Bt1,200 for maindraw matches.

-- The Nation 2011-01-08