The Commonwealth Bank Tennis Classic, part of the Sony Ericsson-WTA tour, will run from September 7-14 at the Grand Hyatt Bali in Nusa Dua. With US$225,000 in prize money it is now considered the largest event of its kinds in Southeast Asia.
Among the world’s top players in the tournament:
DANIELA HANTUCHOVA
Reached her first Grand Slam semi-final, at the Australian Open.
FRANCESCA SCHIAVONE
Defeated world number one Justine Henin on her way to the Dubai semi-finals. Reached the French Open doubles final.
PATTY SCHNYDER
Reached the Bangalore final and the quarter-finals of the French Open.
LI NA
Won her second career title, on Australia’s Gold Coast, and beat two top-6 opponents in Doha.
PENG SHUAI
In doubles, defeated Australian Open champions the Bondarenko sisters in Miami and current Wimbledon champions the Williams sisters in Bangalore.
FLAVIA PENNETTA
Upset Venus Williams at the French Open, and won titles in Vina Del Mar and Acapulco.
TAMARINE TANASUGARN
Defeated world number three Jelena Jankovic to become the first Thai to reach the Wimbledon quarter-finals. Beat world number nine Dinara Safina at s’Hertogenbosch to win her second career title.
Defending champion Lindsay Davenport could not return this year.
The tournament, a 2007 addition to the worldwide Sony Ericsson WTA Tour, will play its last old format as organizers look to upgrade the tournament level next year, event organizers announced Thursday. Next year will be hold a higher level competition called the Commonwealth Bank Tournament of Champions, which will offer more prize money.
Related links: Bali WTA Tour Site