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SAN DIEGO, CA, May 16, 2006 – The 2006 Acura Classic today announced that five more of the world’s current top ten players have entered this year’s tournament, to be held July 29 - August 6 at the La Costa Resort & Spa. The five new players scheduled to compete are: Kim Clijsters (#2), Nadia Petrova (#3), Elena Dementieva (#8), Patty Schnyder (#9), and Svetlana Kuznetsova (#10). They join previously announced entrants Maria Sharapova (#4), Justine Henin-Hardenne (#5), Mary Pierce (#6), Lindsay Davenport (#7), and Venus Williams (#12) on the Acura Classic roster. In all, the event is now scheduled to host nine of the current top ten players on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour.
“This year is shaping up to be one of our strongest fields ever,” noted Promotion Sports’ Raquel Giscafré, “Just like at the recent Grand Slams and other major tournaments, there are a large number of players who could conceivably win the title. From the very beginning of the week, every day will feature top players trying to fight their way into the finals.”
Adds Giscafré: “We provide one of the most ideal settings for women’s tennis competition. The La Costa site is both convenient for the players and a beautiful surrounding for the fans. And with only 3 rain delays in our 23 years, we can pretty much guarantee perfect weather as well.”
Here are a few facts about the field’s latest entrants…
Kim Clijsters will be making her sixth appearance at La Costa. She is the defending U.S. Open Champion, a former world #1 ranked player and one of only five players to be #1 in singles and doubles simultaneously. She was an Acura Classic finalist in 2003, as well as a Quarterfinalist in 2002 and 2005. The winner of last year’s Acura Classic Corina Comeback Award, Kim’s San Diego record is 8-5.
Currently at her career high rank of #3 in the world, Nadia Petrova is one of the hottest players on the tour right now. She will be making her sixth appearance at the Acura Classic this year. In 2003, she reached the Acura Classic quarterfinals, eventually losing to winner Justine Henin-Hardenne. Her San Diego record stands at 6-5.
Elena Dementieva will be making her seventh consecutive appearance at the Acura Classic this year. Her best showing was in 2004, when she reached the semifinals, losing to the eventual winner Lindsay Davenport. She won the Acura Classic Doubles title in 2002 (with Janette Husarova). Her third-round match in 2003, in which she lost to that year’s winner Justine Henin-Hardenne, is remembered by San Diego fans as one of the best matches of the tournament that year.
Her overall record at La Costa is an even 6-6.
Currently the world #9, Patty Schnyder, a tough 14-year veteran of the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour, has amassed 10 career singles titles. She had a spectacular 2005, ending the year at her career high ranking of #7. She reached the quarterfinals at last year’s Acura Classic, losing to eventual winner Mary Pierce. Her San Diego singles record is 1-3.
Svetlana Kuznetsova, currently ranked #10, is the 2004 U.S. Open Champion. She will be making her fourth consecutive appearance at San Diego. In her 2003 debut she reached the semifinals, losing to eventual winner Justine Henin-Hardenne. She’s having a great year so far in 2006, with wins over Mauresmo, Hingis, Sharapova and Venus Williams. Her San Diego record is 6-3.
For more information and to purchase tickets for the Acura Classic, fans can call the Tournament Box Office at 760-438-5683, or visit www.acuraclassic.com. Free parking for attendees will be available for opening weekend on Saturday and Sunday, July 29th and 30th.
Promotion Sports, Inc., which owns the Acura Classic and promotes a variety of professional tennis events, is a private corporation headquartered in Carlsbad, California. Founded in 1982 by Raquel Giscafré and Jane Stratton, former professional tennis players, the company is dedicated to promoting sports and women’s tennis worldwide.
The Acura Classic is sponsored by American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
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