Laura Robson pens down a deal with the Shenzhen Gemdale Open officials – Tennis News
World number 53, Laura Robson, who is recently awarded the title of the New Comer of the Year has signed up for the event in Shenzhen that is the new entry in the Women Tennis Association schedule and will be contested in the first
week of the New Year. The tournament is played in the city of the China and named as the Shenzhen Gemdale Open, hosted at the outdoor hard courts with a 4000-seat capacity stadium. The total prize money for the event is $500,000.
Former French Open Champion, Li Na, will be the top seed contestant in the event and will be threatened by the likes of the 11th ranked Frenchwoman, Marion Bartoli, who will be the second best contender to life the first
trophy of the tournament. Other players who will participate in the event include the likes of the former world number one Jelena Jankovic, the Taiwanese star Su-Wei Hsieh, China’s second best player Shuai Peng and Klara Zakopalova. The draw will consist of
32 players in the singles category and 16 doubles team.
Stacey Allaster, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Women Tennis Association stated, “We are very excited to be adding the Shenzhen Gemdale Open to the WTA's calendar in 2013. China and the Asia-Pacific region are
key strategic growth markets for the WTA, and Shenzhen will present a fantastic opportunity to continue showcasing women's tennis to the fans of China, and building the upon the foundation that has been laid by the China Open and Guangzhou International Women's
Open. I would like to personally thank the Chinese Tennis Association, the city of Shenzhen, Gemdale and IMG for making this event possible.”
Robson who enjoyed a very successful year that yielded a mix doubles silver medal for the 18-year-old kid at her maiden Olympics appearance needs another back-up season to continue the breakthrough. She is yet to win her maiden
Women Tennis Association title and considering that she has defeated the top seed contestant of the event in Shenzhen in the third round of the US Open at New York, the potential of registering a landmark is huge for her. However, she will have to make sure
that there are no lapses of concentration.
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