Some of the best women’s tennis players in the world have showcased their skills on the Rexall Centre courts at York University and this year is no different. The 2009 Rogers Cup, being held Aug. 15 to 23, will see No. 1-world-ranked defending champion Dinara Safina of Russia take on Wimbledon champ Serena Williams and Wimbledon finalist Venus Williams of the United States.
All 25 top players on the Sony Ericsson Women’s Tennis Association Tour have been confirmed, along with 33 of the top 35 players, for a chance to win a piece of US$2 million in total prize money for the women’s singles event at Rogers Cup, with the tournament champion taking home US$350,000 and 800 ranking points.
Right: Dinara Safina, 2008 Rogers Cup Champion. Photo courtesy of Tennis Canada
Fifty-six players will compete in the main draw, consisting of 39 direct entries, five wild cards and 12 qualifiers. The qualifying draw, taking place Aug. 15 to 16, will have 48 players, while the doubles main draw will consist of 28 teams. Both the qualifying and doubles entry lists will be announced at a later date.
There will be players representing 22 different nationalities as direct entries, with Russian leading the way with eight competitors. Other countries that will see their flag flown atop Rexall Centre are France with four players; China and Italy with three apiece; Serbia, the Slovak Republic, Spain and the United States each with two; and Austria, Australia, Belarus, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Germany, Hungary, Israel, Poland, Switzerland and Ukraine each with one.
A special opening night program is slated for Monday, Aug. 17 with former greats Martina Navratilova and Monica Seles joining Serena Williams and rising Canadian star Aleksandra Wozniak in a special doubles exhibition.
YFile readers are invited to join the action with savings of up to 25 per cent off prime Level 100 silver seats.
To order, visit the Rogers Cup Web site and use your group access code (1078-10789343), call Tennis Canada at 1-877-283-6647, ext. 4306, or e-mail groups@tenniscanada.com.
Click here for a schedule detailing the cost of discounted tickets. Friends and family of YFile readers are also eligible for the discount.