SLOVAKIAN STAR DANIELA HANTUCHOVA RETURNS TO PLAY THE HASTINGS
DIRECT INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS & DFS CLASSIC
The LTA is pleased to announce that Daniela Hantuchova will
return to Great Britain this summer to play both in Eastbourne,
at the Hastings Direct International Championships and in
Birmingham, at the 25th DFS Classic.
Daniela, who has become hugely popular since first playing
in Great Britain back in 1999, reached the final of the Hastings
Direct International Championships two years ago and won the
doubles title at the DFS Classic last year. She kick-started
2006 impressively, reaching the semi final in Auckland and
then reaching her first Grand Slam fourth round in three years
at the Australian Open. She disposed of both the Williams
sisters before losing out to semi finalist Maria Sharapova.
In February she also collected her seventh career doubles
title by winning in Doha with Ai Sugiyama.
Ranked as high as five in the world in both singles and doubles,
she has won mixed doubles titles at all four Grand Slams.
Hantuchova said: “It’s my favourite surface,
and I only have really nice memories playing in front of my
English fans so I am really forward to be back there this
year. I think it helps in the matches that they are always
behind me and supporting me.”
She added: “You can prepare really well [in Eastbourne],
the courts are in fantastic condition. That is one of the
keys as to why so many players choose to play the week before
Wimbledon in Eastbourne. I don’t think you can get a
better practice anywhere else and the whole atmosphere is
very relaxed.”
Hastings Direct International Championships Director, Gavin
Fletcher, welcomed the addition of another world class player
after Kim Clijsters confirmed she will defend her title: “This
year’s Hastings Direct International Championships is
once again shaping up to be another fantastic tournament.
It is great news to see Daniela Hantuchova back again this
year in what promises to be an exciting week of women’s
tennis.”
DFS Classic tournament Director Marjory Howie added: “It
is great news to see Daniela coming back to Birmingham and
we are hoping she will defend her doubles title she won last
year with Ai Sugiyama. Daniela, who is ranked 16 in the world
at the moment, has been a hugely popular player here in previous
years and I’m sure she will definitely be amongst the
favourites to win the title this year.”
Tickets are currently on sale for the Hastings Direct International
Championships which offers tennis fans a fantastic opportunity
to watch some of the world’s finest players. Ticket
information is available from the box office 01323 412000.
Qualifying for this year’s event will take place between
Saturday 17th and Monday 19th of June 2006. The main draw
will be played between Monday 19th and Saturday 24th June
2006 at Devonshire Park, Eastbourne. Each day’s play
will commence at 11:30am.
The DFS Classic will be played at the Edgbaston Priory Club,
June 10-18 2006 with tickets currently on sale via the box
office on 0870 909 3015. This year’s qualifying event
will run between Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th June 2006 with
the main draw played between 12th and 18th June.
|
