2 Australian Open Champions head for Pattaya, Nicha gets wild card



The star-studded line-up at the US$ 220,000 PTT Pattaya Open, which is being held at the Dusit Thani , Pattaya from 7 – 15 February, was further enhanced this weekend with the inclusion of 2 of the champions from the recently completed Australian Open.

Sania Mirza of India, who along with compatriot Mahesh Bhuparti won the mixed doubles final has confirmed her participation, as has Australian Open junior title holder Ksenia Pervak of Russia, whose current ranking of 154 means she will have to play in the qualifying rounds which start on 7 February. She is joined in qualifying by compatriot and former top 20 player, Elena Bovina who career has been injury plagued since reaching the dizzy heights of no 14 in the world in 2005. Another interesting player in qualifying is Bulgarian Sesil Karatantcheva, whom at the age of 15 reached the lofty heights of no 35 in the world and is currently on the comeback trail after a 3-year absence from the tour.

Pervak arrived on-site yesterday and joins world No 10 Nadia Petrova of Russia and Japan’s Kimiko Date amongst other players who have arrived early to prepare for the tournament, which is part of the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour, international series events. The tournament organizers have also given a wild card to rising Thai star Nicha Lertpitaksinchai into the main draw singles, she joins Tamarine Tanasugarn and Noppawan Lertcheewakarn in the main draw.

Tickets are still available for the tournament through the following channels:

1. Pentangle Promotions Co., Ltd on 02-3823491 – 3. Website: www.pentanglepromotions.com
2. ThaiTicketMajor Co., Ltd (all outlets) or tel: 02-2623456. Website: www.thaiticketmajor.com

The PTT Pattaya Open is part of the Sony-Ericsson WTA Tour and is supported by PTT Public Co., Ltd, Pattaya City, Sports Authority of Thailand, Chonburi Provincial Administration, the Tourism Authority of Thailand, the Dusit Thani Pattaya, Wilson, Yonex, the Telephone Organization of Thailand, Bangkok-Pattaya Hospital and JC Ferrero Equelite.