Maria Sharapova Headed for Amelia Island
Posted by Aaress Lawless on Apr 4, 2008 | Print | Email | Bookmark | Free Subscription
The Bausch & Lomb Championships announced a surprising entrant into their Tier II tournament Thursday evening.
Maria Sharapova, the winner of the 2008 Australian Open, has decided to launch her clay court season at Amelia Island.
Earlier this week, Sharapova also declared her intention to play Charleston’s Family Circle Cup after Amelia Island.
“This is one of the biggest player announcements this tournament has made in its 28 year history. It is fantastic to deliver such a stellar player field. Having Maria make her inaugural appearance at Amelia Island is an absolute can’t miss event,” said tournament director, John Arrix.
Only 16 players have held the No. 1 ranking on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour since the inception of computer singles rankings in 1975 and the top spot has changed hands or tied 70 times.
The 2008 Bausch & Lomb Championships now has four of these No. 1 ranked players in its singles main draw including Lindsay Davenport, Venus Williams, Amelie Mauresmo and Maria Sharapova.
Described as “the form player on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour this season,” Sharapova has had an impeccable start to her 2008 season.
In her first two Tour events of the year, she won her third career Grand Slam singles title at the Australian Open followed by winning her 18th career Tour singles title at Doha where she tied with Amelie Mauresmo and Venus Williams at No. 4 on the active list of Tier 1 singles titles winners.
With the addition of Sharapova to the already stellar Bausch & Lomb Championships field which includes Anna Chakvetadze, Venus Williams, Marion Bartoli, Patty Schnyder, Dinara Safina, Vera Zvonareva, Amelie Mauresmo and Lindsay Davenport, fans can expect one of the best weeks of tennis in the Bausch & Lomb Championships’ 29 year history.
The tournament begins on Monday, April 7, 2008. For more information, please visit www.blchamps.com
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Kurt | Apr 4, 2008 | Reply
Looks like two weeks off was all she needed for her shoulder. I’m very interested to see how she does!
nacolius ward | Apr 19, 2008 | Reply
i don’t care what nobody say serena williams will always be the best player in my book and she is going to win the 2008 french open along with the doubles title with sister venus williams so maria and justine watch out because i believe in serena williams and venus williams and there on the prow to win some more grand slams.