Lindsay Davenport Plans Amelia Island Return for Bausch & Lomb Championships

Former world No. 1 Lindsay Davenport is headed back to Amelia Island Plantation in April.

The Bausch and Lomb Championships has announced that the three-time Grand Slam champion plans to compete in the Tier II tournament.

Although Davenport will play on the American clay surface, she has already stated her decision to skip playing Roland Garros.

On Saturday tournament officials gladly confirmed that Davenport plans to include the 2008 Bausch & Lomb Championships in her singles schedule.

“For years Lindsay has been a fan favorite at Amelia Island. It is great for American tennis to see her back playing and playing at a level that will land her in the Top 5 in the world by Roland Garros. Lindsay is very comfortable at Amelia and be assured she is coming here with the goal of winning her fourth Bausch & Lomb Championships title,” stated tournament director, John Arrix.

Since giving birth to son Jagger Jonathan Leach on Sunday, June 10, 2007, Davenport has entered the singles field in five Sony Ericsson WTA Tour events and has made a stunning comeback to singles action.

Davenport captured the tournament title at three of her comeback events starting at Bali, where the first time mother scored a sensational three-set final win over Daniela Hantuchova to capture her first singles title since Zurich in 2005. Davenport’s second singles comeback win came at Quebec City, where she dropped only five final games to capture the title. To usher in the 2008 season, Davenport clinched her third comeback title with a dominating two-set win at Auckland.

Since turning pro in 1993, Lindsay Davenport has become an “all-American” legend. Davenport has collected 54 singles titles on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour, including three majors (1998 US Open, 1999 Wimbledon, 2000 Australian Open); one Olympic Gold medal and 36 doubles titles.

Davenport held onto the world No. 1 ranking for 98 non-consecutive weeks, beginning in October 1998 and ending January 2006. She recently announced her commitment to play on the 2008 US Fed Cup team and will lead the squad this weekend against Germany at home in California.

The 29th annual Bausch & Lomb Championships returns to the oceanfront resort of Amelia Island Plantation, April 7 – 13, 2008. The Bausch & Lomb Championships annually feature the most talented names in women’s professional tennis as well as showcasing the rising stars on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour.

With the kick-off of Davenport’s announced commitment, this year promises no exception.

Tickets for the 2008 Bausch & Lomb Championships offer fans a variety of weeklong seating. General Admission tickets are available for each session and offer Premium or Standard Seating. A Weekend Series secures the same seat for the last four tournament sessions – Friday (day & night), Saturday and Sunday. Box Seat tickets are the closest seats to the court and secure the same seat for the duration of the tournament.

For additional information regarding tickets and packages, please visit the tournament web site at blchamps.com where tickets can now be purchased online.

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