Russia’s Vera Zvonareva to play WTA Mumbai Open

Russia’s former world number two, Vera Zvonareva, runner-up at the 2010 Wimbledon and US Open Championships, is among the star attractions at the WTA $125K L&T Mumbai Open Tennis Championships, to be played at the Cricket Club of India courts from November 18-26.

Amidst participants from 19 nations, Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka, world number 78, will be the top seed. The singles champion will earn $20,000 and 160 WTA points, while the runner up will earn $11,000 and 95 points, said Prashant Sutar, Tournament Director.

READ: India gets WTA event after 5 years, ‘Mumbai Open’ in November

Belgium’s Yannina Wickmayer, a former world number two, will also be seen in action at the competition, organised by Maharashtra Lawn Tennis Association, in association with the Maharashtra government.

Four Indians will be given wild-cards into the main draw, “India number one Ankita Raina, upcoming player Kamran Kaur Thandi, world junior number 18 Zeel Desai and Maharashtra’s leading player, Rujuta Bhosale are among front-runners for wild-cards,” said Nitin Kareer, chairman of organising committee.

Kareer added: “Being the last tournament of the year in the WTA calender, the Mumbai Open will witness high quality contests between players trying to earn maximum points and gain entry into the first Grand Slam next year, the Australian Open.”

The doubles winners will earn $5500 and 160 WTA points, while the runners-up will earn $2700 and 95 points. The prize money and points will be given from first round main draw onwards in singles. The qualifying draw begins on November 18, where two Indians will be handed wild-cards.

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WTA Television and WTA website will live stream all the matches, apart from live scoring available on the tournament website  www.mumbaiopen.in .

The announcements were made in the presence of Amruta Fadnavis, Chairperson of Organising Committee, Pallavi Darade, Organising Secretary, Pravin Singh Pardeshi, Patron and Sunder Iyer, MSLTA Secretary. Event sponsor Larsen & Toubro was represented by S. V. Desai, Executive VP & Head (Heavy Civil Infrastructure).