Federer eyes Basel crown, Murray heads to Valencia
Originally published on: 29/10/10 14:39
WTA Tournament of Champions
When? November 4-7 2010
Where? Bali, Indonesia
Event type: WTA International
Surface: Indoor Hard
Prize money: $600,000
Draw size: S-8
2009 champion: Aravane Rezai
In its second year, the four-day Tournament of Champions brings together the eight winners of the season’s WTA International events that missed out on a spot at the WTA Championships.
After the agony of missing out on place in Doha, China’s Na Li has instead had to settle with a place as top seed in Indonesia. She will have to prise it away from Aravane Rezai, who is back to defend her title following a brilliant mid-season display.
Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, Yanina Wickmayer and Alisa Kleybanova are also among the field, as is Ana Ivanovic – one to keep an eye on as she arrives in with good form following her victory in Linz two weeks ago, while Linz quarterfinalist Daniela Hantuchova will also feature.
Last, but by no means least, 40-year-old Kimiko Date-Krumm has been offered a wildcard slot at the event after her recent sparkling run of form.
When? November 1-7 2010
Where? Basel, Switzerland
Event type: ATP World Tour 500
Surface: Indoor Hard
Prize money: €1,225,000
Draw size: S-32, D-16
2009 Champion: Novak Djokovic
Roger Federer has a huge emotional attachment to his home tournament. The Basel-born 16-time Grand Slam champion was once a ball boy at the event, and has won the event in three successive years (2006, 2007, 2008) but suffered a narrow defeat to Novak Djokovic last year. No doubt he’ll be on the hunt to recapture his crown.
Djokovic, who recently slipped back behind Federer in the rankings, will once again be standing in his way, while world No.6 Tomas Berdych is desperately in search of the last few points to guarentee him a place at the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals next month.
Currently eighth in the race for London, Andy Roddick returns to the event for the first time since his semi-final appearance in 2003 and will be hoping for a repeat performance to hold on to his much-coveted position among the qualifying spots for London, with Jurgen Melzer and Marin Cilic nipping at his heels.
Remember this? Tim Henman’s victory brings Federer to tears
When? November 1-7 2010
Where? Valencia, Spain
Event type: ATP World Tour 500
Surface: Indoor Hard
Prize money: €1,357,000
Draw size: S-32, D-16
2009 ATP champion: Andy Murray
Arguably the most aesthetically attractive venue on the ATP Tour, the Valencia Open is located in the state-of-the-art Ciutat De Las Arts Y Les Ciències (the City of Arts and Sciences) building, having moved indoors and onto a hard court last year.
Andy Murray won the event in its first year under the spectacular roof and will be keen to continue his recent form on the indoor hard courts, having captured the Shanghai Masters title in his previous tournament outing.
Murray, fresh from brother Jamie’s wedding in Dumblane on Thursday, faces a high-class field, with home favourites David Ferrer and Fernando Verdasco, Mikhail Youzhny and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga all still eyeing up a place in the world’s top eight for a shot at the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals. No.2 seed Robin Soderling will also be a strong contender, with the Swede searching for form before heading to the O2.
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