The US$220,000 PTT Pattaya Open, one of the longest running events on the WTA Tour for professional women tennis players has assembled a star-studded field for its 21st edition which includes a mixture of established and rising stars who will competing for the US$30,000 winner’s cheque and 280 ranking points in the ever popular tournament, which will be held at the Dusit Thani Hotel, Pattaya from 5–12 February 2012.
Top seed in the 2012 PTT Pattaya Open will be world No 7 Vera Zvonareva of Russia, who is making her 4th successive appearance in Pattaya and will be aiming to become the first-ever three time winner in the 21 year history of the event. Also returning to defend her title will be Daniela Hantuchova of the Slovak Republic, who halted the 13 game unbeaten streak of Zvonareva in the semi-final last year and went on to win the tournament by crushing Sara Errani of Italy in the final.
(Left to right) Geoffrey Rowe (Tournament Director); Ronakit Ekasingh (Deputy Mayor of Pattaya City); Sarun Rungkasiri (PTT Public Company Limited); Sakon Wannapong (Sports Authority of Thailand) and Chatchawal Supachayanont (General Manager Dusit Thani Pattaya) attend the press conference to announce the tournament, Friday, Jan. 6 in Bangkok.
Compatriot Dominika Cibulkova who finished 2011 with a flourish by winning in Moscow and climbing to No 18 in the rankings will be making her debut in Pattaya along with teenager sensation Heather Watson, the UK youngster has risen to prominence on the back of some strong performances in 2011.
Daniela Hantuchova will be back to defend her title at this year’s PTT Pattaya Open women’s tennis tournament. (Photo/Martin Bilsborrow)
Russian beauty Maria Kirilenko, another player who has enjoyed success in 2011 and is currently ranked in the top 30 will be returning in 2012 and hoping to improve on her showing last year.
Tamarine Tanasugarn, a finalist in this event in 1996 and 2010 will lead the challenge of the local stars, she is at the close of entries the only Thai player to get automatic acceptance into the main draw with wild card entries under consideration for other Thai players.
A number of activities will be staged around the PTT Pattaya Open including the hosting of a luncheon for deprived children on Monday 6 February, supporting beach reclamation in Pattaya Bay on 8 February and the staging of tennis clinics on Saturday 11 February.
The 16-draw qualifying competition will be held on 5–6 February 2012, with main draw matches commencing on 7 February and play starting from 15.00 daily, including the finals on Sunday 12 February. Tickets are available at 300, 500, 800 and 1,200 baht.
For more information on the tournament and tickets, please contact Pentangle Promotions Co., Ltd at Tel: 02-3113414-5 or via the website at www.pentanglepro motions.com or through ThaiTicketMajor Co., Ltd at 02-262-3456 or website www. thaiticketmajor.com
Top seed Vera Zvonareva will be aiming for her third title at the event. (Photo/Martin Bilsborrow)
