Roberta and Elina grace BMW Malaysian Open
NST
Last year’s US Open finalist Roberta Vinci and three-time WTA Tour champion Elina Svitolina will grace the BMW Malaysian Open at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club (KLGCC) on Feb 29-March 6.
It will be Roberta’s debut appearance in the BMW Malaysian Open and the Italian will be motivated to secure her 11th WTA Tour title in Kuala Lumpur. She collected her 10th career win by securing the inaugural St. Petersburg Ladies Trophy last weekend to end her title-drought since 2013.
Roberta has been successful in the women’s doubles with five Grand Slam victories and she was also part of the Italian team that won the Fed Cup on four occasions.
The World No 16 grabbed everyone’s attention last year at the US Open when she became the oldest first-time semi-finalist of a Grand Slam event at 32 years of age. She then produced a major upset by overcoming American Serena Williams to reach the final before losing in straight sets to compatriot Flavia Pennetta.
Elina , the highest ranked Ukrainian on the tour at 21, has notched four career wins in Marrakech (2015), Baku (2014 and 2013) and Pune (2012). The 21-year-old made a breakthrough last season when she reached her first Grand Slam quarter-finals at the French Open.
The player’s favourite surface is clay and grass but the Ukrainian will be inspired to make her presence felt in her first visit to KL on hard court.
Former Wimbledon finalist Eugenie Bouchard and four-time Grand Slam champion (in mixed doubles) Daniela Hantuchova have also penned their commitments for the tournament.
World No 58 Eugenie was regarded as the most promising player in 2014 after reaching the final at Wimbledon and also the semi-finals of the Australian Open and French Open.The Canadian achieved her career best ranking of No 5 that year but her progress was affected in 2015 after she suffered a concussion before her fourth round match at the US Open, which subsequently ended her season.
The 22-year-old however, has shown promise on her return and has won seven matches this season. She reached the quarter-finals in the season opening tournament in Shenzhen and also the final in Hobart but lost in the second round of the Australian Open 2016.
World No 101 Daniela has recorded seven tour singles titles, her last being the Thailand Open last February. The 33-year-old has been successful in mixed doubles with victories at Wimbledon (2001), Australian Open (2002), French Open and US Open (both 2005) in mixed doubles.
Daniela got past three rounds in the qualifiers in Brisbane last month only to lose to Samantha Stosur of Australia in the last 16. The Slovakian was a first round casualty at the Australian Open. It will be her first outing in KL.
The main draw will comprise the top 24 highest ranked players in the entry list, four wildcards and four qualifiers. A series of exciting activities have been planned for fans to interact with their favourite players in autograph and photo sessions at KLGCC. Coaching clinics, sports seminars and social functions are being planned to make the event grander.
The qualifying round is scheduled on 27th and 28th February. Admission is free from Saturday, 27th February to Wednesday, 2nd March.
Tickets are available online at www.ticketpro.com.my or contact Ticket Pro at 03-7880 7999. Tickets are priced at RM33, RM53, RM63 and RM73 from 3rd to 6th March. Season passes are priced at RM153 and early bird discounts are available before 27th February.
The event is supported by the Ministry of Tourism, MyCeb and the Ministry of Youth & Sports Malaysia.
Read More : http://www.nst.com.my/news/2016/02/127855/roberta-and-elina-grace-bmw-malaysian-open
