Sports
Defending champion and world No. 9 Caroline Wozniacki commits to Pilot Pen Tennis
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Jun 29, 2009 - 4:58 PM

World No. 11 Marion Bartoli Also Joins Field

Defending champion, World No. 9 and rising star Caroline Wozniacki has committed to Pilot Pen Tennis presented by Schick, an Olympus US Open Series event on the ATP World Tour and Sony Ericsson WTA Tour to be held August 21-29, 2009 at the Connecticut Tennis Center at Yale, it was announced today by Anne Worcester, tournament director.

Along with Wozniacki, World No. 11 Marion Bartoli has also entered the field and joins former World No. 1 and two-time Grand Slam champion Amelie Mauresmo, and two up-and-coming stars on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour, Dominika Cibulkova and Alize Cornet, as the female players entered in the tournament thus far. In addition, Americans Mardy Fish and Taylor Dent, and French Open quarterfinalist Tommy Robredo are entered in the event on the men’s side.

Wozniacki, who just over a week ago won the fifth singles title of her career at Eastbourne, had a breakthrough season in 2008 winning titles in Stockholm, Tokyo, and at the Pilot Pen, where as an unseeded player she defeated four of the top eight seeds en route to the title. She has continued her winning ways this year capturing two titles (Ponte Vedra Beach), reaching the finals of three other events (Memphis, Charleston and Madrid) and climbing to a career-high ranking of No. 9 in the world.

“I am thrilled to be coming back to defend my title at the Pilot Pen,” said Wozniacki. “I loved the atmosphere at the tournament last year and the terrific fan support helped me to the title. I hope that I have just as much success again this year in New Haven.”

Bartoli, who will be making her sixth trip to the Pilot Pen, has had a strong 2009 campaign winning her fourth career title at Monterrey, reaching the finals of Brisbane, the semifinals of Charleston and Eastbourne, and the quarterfinals of the Australian Open. She is well-known for her upset of former World No. 1 Justine Henin en route to the Wimbledon finals in 2007 and for having Pierce Brosnan cheer for her from the Royal Box.

“Adding two of the top stars in the women’s game is fantastic for the Pilot Pen,” said Worcester. “Caroline Wozniacki’s win last year is a perfect example of how fans can discover the stars of tomorrow at the Pilot Pen and in an up close and intimate atmosphere. Last year she was unseeded, and this year she is one of the best players on the Tour. That speaks volumes about the value our fans get for their tickets.”

For tickets, how to become a volunteer, or more information about the Tournament, please call the Pilot Pen Tennis Box Office, 888/99-PILOT, 203/776-7331, or log on to www.pilotpentennis.com.

About Pilot Pen Tennis presented by Schick

Pilot Pen Tennis presented by Schick, an Olympus US Open Series event on the ATP World Tour and Sony Ericsson WTA Tour, will be held August 21-29, 2009 at the Connecticut Tennis Center at Yale and feature a number of international tennis stars. The 2008 Pilot Pen, whose champions are Caroline Wozniacki and Marin Cilic, drew more than 81,000 spectators and was televised nationally for 16 hours on ESPN2 and CBS Sports. An economic impact study conducted in 2008 showed that the event generated an estimated total gross economic impact on the New Haven regional economy of more than $26 million.

About the Olympus US Open Series

The Olympus US Open Series brings together the 10 summer tournaments in North America, three television networks, tennis’ sanctioning bodies and top corporate sponsors during the summer tennis season. In 2008 the Series continued its enhancements to the sport, including more national TV hours, live back-to-back Finals every weekend, bonus prize money at the US Open, and a significant national marketing campaign.

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