PTT Pattaya Open tennis a smash hit with the tennis stars

The US$220,000 PTT Pattaya Open, part of the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour opens a new chapter in the history of women’s tennis in Thailand. The tournament, which has been upgraded to be part of the “international series” will be played at the Dusit Thani, Pattaya from 7 – 15 February 2009 has attracted the strongest ever line-up of tennis stars in the 18 year history of the tournament.

Leading the parade of stars are two Russian players, Vera Zvonareva currently ranked No 5 in the world and Nadia Petrova who is ranked at No 10. They are supported by the three hottest teenage stars in women’s tennis today, Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark, ranked no 13 in the world, Victoria Azarenka of Belarus, who is ranked No 15 and Dominika Cibulkova of the Slovak Republic currently ranked no 18 in the world.

Besides the five top 20 stars, there are also two former champions in the tournament, Shahar Peer of Israel, the 2006 champion and Sybille Bammer of Austria, the 2007 champion. Other well known international stars are Japanese icon Kimiko Date Krumm and India’s Sania Mirza.

Leading the Thai challenge are Tammarine Tanasugarn, currently ranked no 41 in the world and world no 1 junior champion Noppawan Lertcheewakarn.

To meet the standards for the new international series, there have been several improvements made to the venue, with the addition of a fourth court on-site, improved lighting, expanded stadium capacity and better facilities for officials, the players and the media.

Qualifying matches will be played from 7 – 9 February, with the main draw starting on 9 February and running through to the finals on 15 February.

There will be 2 days of “live” TV coverage on NBT and T-Sports on Saturday 14 February and Sunday 15 February starting from 15.00 – 17.00. As well as Thailand, the live coverage will include Pan-Asia, Russia, Ukraine, the Middle East and Europe.

Tickets for the tournament are on sale at the following prices:

Saturday 7 February – Sunday 8 February:
(qualifying rounds) – 200 baht.

Monday 9 February – Thursday 12 February:
(1st and 2nd rounds of main draw) - 300 and 500 baht.

Friday 13 February – Sunday 15 February:
(Quarter-finals, semi-finals and final) - 300, 500, 800 and 1000 baht.

The PTT Pattaya Open 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, Sony Ericsson, Wilson, Telephone Organisation of Thailand, C S Loxinfo, Yonex, Babolat and J C Ferrero Equelite.

For information and tickets contact Pentangle Promotions Co., Ltd: Tel 02-382-3491- 3, Fax: 02-3823-490 or check the official website at: www.pentanglepromotions.com or through ThaiTicketMajor Co., Ltd on 02-262-3456. or via website: www.thaiticketmajor.com