Mardy Fish, Sam Querrey, Taylor Dent, Nikolay Davydenko, Tommy Robredo, David Ferrer, Igor Andreev, Dudi Sela, Ivan Ljubicic And Jeremy Chardy Also Headline Men’s Field
Dominika Cibulkova, Agnieska Radwanska, Alize Cornet, Amelie Mauresmo, Marion Bartoli, Samantha Stosur, Anna Chakvetadze And Gisela Dulko Also Lead Women’s Field
NEW HAVEN, Conn., July 15, 2009 – World No. 7 Gilles Simon and World No. 9 and defending champion Caroline Wozniacki, along with a host of international stars from 22 different countries, headline the men’s and women’s fields of Pilot Pen Tennis, an Olympus US Open Series event on the ATP World Tour and Sony Ericsson WTA Tour, to be held August 21-29 at the Connecticut Tennis Center at Yale, it was announced today by Anne Worcester, tournament director.
In addition to Simon, a trio of Americans; two-time Pilot Pen finalist Mardy Fish, rising American star Sam Querrey, and wildcard recipient Taylor Dent, will be playing at the Pilot Pen. Fish, who will be making his fifth trip to the Pilot Pen, notched the third singles title of his career earlier this season at Delray Beach. Querrey, 22, continues his ascent in the rankings, and just last week reached the finals of Newport, his second tournament final appearance this season (Auckland was the other). Dent, who is making a comeback from multiple back surgeries, reached the fourth round at Miami earlier this year before falling to World No. 1 Roger Federer.
Also leading a talented men’s field in New Haven will be 2006 Pilot Pen champion and World No. 11 Nikolay Davydenko, World No. 17 and French Open quarterfinalist Tommy Robredo, 2008 US Open semifinalist David Ferrer, Davis Cup stalwarts Igor Andreev (Russia) and Dudi Sela (Israel), veteran and former World No. 3 Ivan Ljubicic and up-and-coming French star Jeremy Chardy.
On the women’s side, nine of the top 20 players in the world will be in the main draw, featuring a quartet of young rising stars. Wozniacki, 19, returns to defend her title and build on an already successful year that has seen her reach a career-high ranking, capture two titles (Ponte Vedra Beach and Eastbourne) and reach the finals of four other events (Memphis, Charleston, Madrid and Bastad). World No. 12 Dominika Cibulkova, 20, reached the semifinals of the French Open this year and will be making her third trip the Pilot Pen. World No. 14 Agnieska Radwanska, 20, won three tour titles last year and just a few weeks ago reached the quarterfinals of Wimbledon. Frenchwoman Alize Cornet, 19, won the first tournament of her career last year in Budapest and was a semifinalist in New Haven last summer.
In addition, veterans and fan favorites in the field include former World No. 1 and two-time Grand Slam champion Amelie Mauresmo, 2007 Wimbledon finalist and World No. 13 Marion Bartoli, 2009 Wimbledon semifinalist Samantha Stosur, 2008 Pilot Pen finalist and seven-time winner on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour Anna Chakvetadze and Argentine Gisela Dulko, who upset former World No. 1 Maria Sharapova just a few weeks ago at Wimbledon.
“We are thrilled to have nine of the top 20 women’s players in the world, a number of up-and-coming stars, a trio of outstanding Americans on the men’s side and a host of other phenomenal players entered in the Pilot Pen field,” said Worcester. “Wozniacki, Cibulkova, Mauresmo, Simon, Fish, Querrey, Dent, and more make for a great mix of rising stars and veterans that are guaranteed to deliver quality entertainment for our fans.”
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.
WORLD NO. 7 GILLES SIMON AND WORLD NO. 9 CAROLINE WOZNIACKI LEAD MEN’S AND WOMEN’S FULL FIELDS AT THE PILOT PEN
Posted in:
Pilot Pen Tennis
RISING AMERICAN STAR MELANIE OUDIN, PILOT PEN TENNIS, CITY OF NEW HAVEN AND UNITED STATES TENNIS ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCE MAJOR COMMUNITY TENNIS PROJECT
Posted in:
Pilot Pen Tennis
Oudin To Participate In Pilot Pen Tennis Qualifying Draw
NEW HAVEN, Conn., July 13, 2009 – Rising American tennis star Melanie Oudin today announced that Pilot Pen Tennis, City of New Haven and USTA New England will embark on a major refurbishing of the Edgewood and East Shore Parks tennis courts, which will ensure that New Haven residents of all ages have access to facilities in good condition to play tennis.
Oudin, who just last week became the youngest American woman to reach the fourth round of Wimbledon since Jennifer Capriati in 1993, will play in the qualifying draw at this year’s 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.
Since 2004, a partnership among New Haven Parks & Rec, USTA New England and Pilot Pen Tennis has helped more than 3,000 youth through affordable Parks & Rec tennis programs and lessons offered throughout the year. Numerous kids have gone on to participate competitively in programs such as USTA Team Tennis, USTA-sanctioned Junior Tournaments, High School Tennis Teams and the State Tennis Championships. As interest in tennis in New Haven has burgeoned, the courts at East Shore and Edgewood Parks, where the bulk of local tennis programs take place and where local high school teams play, have started to show significant wear (more than a half mile of linear cracks).
With this in mind, the City of New Haven recently made a historic decision to spend $155,000 towards court repairs at these two parks. In addition to significant engineering and logistical expertise, the USTA has also committed a minimum of $25,000 to augment what the City is investing. The project will be completed later this year and is another example of how the Pilot Pen, City of New Haven and USTA New England are working together to leverage the excitement of professional tennis to build participation at the community level.
“Each year we have built upon the partnership among the City of New Haven, Pilot Pen Tennis and the USTA, and this year we are taking a quantum leap,” said New Haven Mayor John DeStefano, Jr. “I believe that the next great tennis star will be found on New Haven’s public courts, and that is why we are supporting this project.”
“Having three dynamic organizations committed to the future of tennis in New Haven is extremely exciting,” said Pilot Pen Tennis Tournament Director Anne Worcester. “And having young American Melanie Oudin here today is another way of connecting the rising stars of professional tennis to community tennis and to the kids in New Haven – the next generation of American tennis players.”
-more- (see full story)
NEW HAVEN, Conn., July 13, 2009 – Rising American tennis star Melanie Oudin today announced that Pilot Pen Tennis, City of New Haven and USTA New England will embark on a major refurbishing of the Edgewood and East Shore Parks tennis courts, which will ensure that New Haven residents of all ages have access to facilities in good condition to play tennis.
Oudin, who just last week became the youngest American woman to reach the fourth round of Wimbledon since Jennifer Capriati in 1993, will play in the qualifying draw at this year’s 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.
Since 2004, a partnership among New Haven Parks & Rec, USTA New England and Pilot Pen Tennis has helped more than 3,000 youth through affordable Parks & Rec tennis programs and lessons offered throughout the year. Numerous kids have gone on to participate competitively in programs such as USTA Team Tennis, USTA-sanctioned Junior Tournaments, High School Tennis Teams and the State Tennis Championships. As interest in tennis in New Haven has burgeoned, the courts at East Shore and Edgewood Parks, where the bulk of local tennis programs take place and where local high school teams play, have started to show significant wear (more than a half mile of linear cracks).
With this in mind, the City of New Haven recently made a historic decision to spend $155,000 towards court repairs at these two parks. In addition to significant engineering and logistical expertise, the USTA has also committed a minimum of $25,000 to augment what the City is investing. The project will be completed later this year and is another example of how the Pilot Pen, City of New Haven and USTA New England are working together to leverage the excitement of professional tennis to build participation at the community level.
“Each year we have built upon the partnership among the City of New Haven, Pilot Pen Tennis and the USTA, and this year we are taking a quantum leap,” said New Haven Mayor John DeStefano, Jr. “I believe that the next great tennis star will be found on New Haven’s public courts, and that is why we are supporting this project.”
“Having three dynamic organizations committed to the future of tennis in New Haven is extremely exciting,” said Pilot Pen Tennis Tournament Director Anne Worcester. “And having young American Melanie Oudin here today is another way of connecting the rising stars of professional tennis to community tennis and to the kids in New Haven – the next generation of American tennis players.”
-more- (see full story)
DEFENDING CHAMPION AND WORLD NO. 9 CAROLINE WOZNIACKI COMMITS TO PILOT PEN TENNIS
Posted in:
Pilot Pen Tennis
World No. 11 Marion Bartoli Also Joins Field
NEW HAVEN, Conn., June 29, 2009 – 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.
NEW HAVEN, Conn., June 29, 2009 – 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.
WORLD NO. 8 ANNA CHAKVETADZE COMMITS TO PILOT PEN TENNIS
Posted in:
Pilot Pen Tennis
Seven-Time Sony Ericsson WTA Tour Champion Is Top-Ranked Player Entered In The Tournament
NEW HAVEN, Conn., July 22, 2008 – World No. 8 Anna Chakvetadze, a seven-time champion on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour, has become the top-ranked player to commit to Pilot Pen Tennis presented by Schick, an Olympus US Open Series event on the ATP and Sony Ericsson WTA Tour to be held August 15-23, 2008 at the Connecticut Tennis Center at Yale, it was announced today by Anne Worcester, tournament director.
She joins former World No. 1 Amelie Mauresmo, Agnes Szavay (No. 14), Marion Bartoli (No. 15), Maria Kirilenko (No. 18) and Alize Cornet (No. 20) as women committed to the tournament thus far. In addition, men already slated to participate are Fernando Verdasco (No. 11), who just last week won in Umag; Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (No. 17), who was a surprise finalist at the Australian Open earlier this year; rising star Juan Martin Del Potro (No. 25), who has captured two titles in a row (Stuttgart and Kitzbuhel) and catapulted 40 places in the rankings; and veterans Mardy Fish and Ivan Ljubicic.
Chakvetadze had an incredible season last year winning four titles at Hobart, s-Hertogenbosch, Cincinnati and Stanford; reaching the semifinals of five events including the US Open and the season-ending Tour Championships; reaching the quarterfinals of six events including the Australian Open and French Open; and reaching the fourth round of Wimbledon. In addition, she helped Russia’s Fed Cup team win its third title in the last four years and reached a career-high ranking of No. 5 in the world.
“We are delighted to have Anna Chakvetadze, yet another young star representing the future of women’s tennis, enter the Pilot Pen,” said Worcester. “She has recently overcome personal trauma in her life to stay at the top of the very competitive women’s game. As the No. 8 ranked player in the world at only 21 years-old, she is most definitely a player to watch on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour.”
This year, Chakvetadze has continued her success by winning at Paris, reaching the semifinals of Rome, and reaching the quarterfinals of Dubai, s-Hertogenbosch and Stanford. This will be her third trip to New Haven, with her best results coming in 2005 when she reached the semifinals.
Although she has not received direct entry into the tournament, due to her late commitment, she is first on the alternate list. Players on the alternate list can move into the main draw three ways: by receiving a wildcard, by qualifying or by moving into the main draw should there be any withdrawals.
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.
NEW HAVEN, Conn., July 22, 2008 – World No. 8 Anna Chakvetadze, a seven-time champion on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour, has become the top-ranked player to commit to Pilot Pen Tennis presented by Schick, an Olympus US Open Series event on the ATP and Sony Ericsson WTA Tour to be held August 15-23, 2008 at the Connecticut Tennis Center at Yale, it was announced today by Anne Worcester, tournament director.
She joins former World No. 1 Amelie Mauresmo, Agnes Szavay (No. 14), Marion Bartoli (No. 15), Maria Kirilenko (No. 18) and Alize Cornet (No. 20) as women committed to the tournament thus far. In addition, men already slated to participate are Fernando Verdasco (No. 11), who just last week won in Umag; Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (No. 17), who was a surprise finalist at the Australian Open earlier this year; rising star Juan Martin Del Potro (No. 25), who has captured two titles in a row (Stuttgart and Kitzbuhel) and catapulted 40 places in the rankings; and veterans Mardy Fish and Ivan Ljubicic.
Chakvetadze had an incredible season last year winning four titles at Hobart, s-Hertogenbosch, Cincinnati and Stanford; reaching the semifinals of five events including the US Open and the season-ending Tour Championships; reaching the quarterfinals of six events including the Australian Open and French Open; and reaching the fourth round of Wimbledon. In addition, she helped Russia’s Fed Cup team win its third title in the last four years and reached a career-high ranking of No. 5 in the world.
“We are delighted to have Anna Chakvetadze, yet another young star representing the future of women’s tennis, enter the Pilot Pen,” said Worcester. “She has recently overcome personal trauma in her life to stay at the top of the very competitive women’s game. As the No. 8 ranked player in the world at only 21 years-old, she is most definitely a player to watch on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour.”
This year, Chakvetadze has continued her success by winning at Paris, reaching the semifinals of Rome, and reaching the quarterfinals of Dubai, s-Hertogenbosch and Stanford. This will be her third trip to New Haven, with her best results coming in 2005 when she reached the semifinals.
Although she has not received direct entry into the tournament, due to her late commitment, she is first on the alternate list. Players on the alternate list can move into the main draw three ways: by receiving a wildcard, by qualifying or by moving into the main draw should there be any withdrawals.
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.
FORMER WORLD NO. 1 AMELIE MAURESMO AND SIX OF THE TOP 20 PLAYERS IN THE WORLD LEAD WOMEN’S FULL FIELD AT THE PILOT PEN
Posted in:
Pilot Pen Tennis
Top 20 Teenagers Agnieszka Radwanska, Agnes Szavay, Victoria Azarenka And Alize Cornet Entered
NEW HAVEN, Conn., July 10, 2008 – Former World No. 1 and two-time Grand Slam champion Amelie Mauresmo (No. 36), along with six of the top 20 players in the world, including Agnieszka Radwanska (No. 10), Agnes Szavay (No. 14), Marion Bartoli (No. 15), Victoria Azarenka (No. 16), Maria Kirilenko (No. 18) and Alize Cornet (No. 20) will lead the 2008 women’s field of Pilot Pen Tennis, an Olympus US Open Series event on the ATP and Sony Ericsson WTA Tour, to be held August 15-23 at the Connecticut Tennis Center at Yale, it was announced today by Anne Worcester, tournament director.
Mauresmo, who won the Australian Open and Wimbledon in 2006, will be making her eighth trip to the Pilot Pen where she has had tremendous success reaching the quarterfinals five times (1998, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2006), the semifinal (2003) and the final (2005). This year she has reached the quarterfinals of Gold Coast, Paris, Dubai and Amelia Island.
Radwanska, a personable 19-year old enjoying a magical season that has propelled her to a career-high ranking, reached the quarterfinals of Wimbledon last week. It was her second appearance this year in the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam, with the first coming at the Australian Open. In addition, this year she has won as much as anyone on the WTA Tour adding three titles to her resume, at Pattaya City, Istanbul and Eastbourne.
Szavay, another 19-year old who had a strong run at Wimbledon to the fourth round, had an amazing run to the finals at Pilot Pen Tennis last year that included grinding her way through the qualifying draw, playing nine matches in eight days and battling a back injury all week that would eventually force her to retire in the finals, even thought she was leading 6-4, 0-3, against then world No. 2 Svetlana Kuznetsova. This year she has continued her ascent in the rankings and has impressive results including reaching the finals of Paris and the quarterfinals of Amelia Island, Charleston and Berlin.
Azarenka and Cornet, both 18-year old sensations that just reached career-high rankings, have had terrific campaigns on the circuit this year. Azarenka reached two finals at Gold Coast and Prague and the semifinals of Berlin, while Cornet has reached the finals of Acapulco and Rome and the semifinals of Amelia Island and Charleston.
Bartoli, who cemented her position as one of the game’s elite players last year by reaching the 2007 Wimbledon finals by defeating World No. 1 Justine Henin, has so far had a successful 2008 reaching the semifinals of Paris and Eastbourne. Maria Kirilenko, another player peaking this year, doubled her trophy collection this year at Estoril and Barcelona, matching the two titles she added last year at Kolkata and Dubai.
Two other veterans enjoying terrific seasons are Flavia Pennetta (No. 21) and Anabel Medina Garrigues (No. 31). Both of them have already won this season with Pennetta capturing titles at Vina del Mar and Acapulco and Garrigues at Strasbourg. In addition, Katarina Srebotnik (No. 26) has done well this year reaching the finals at Strasbourg, the semifinals at Prague and the quarterfinals at Auckland, Sydney and s-Hertogenbosch.
Samantha Stosur (No. 36), who enters the event with a protected ranking due to a severe viral illness that kept her off the circuit for approximately one year, has rebounded exceptionally well and just last week reached the finals of Wimbledon in doubles. Formerly the No. 1 doubles player in the world, she was steadily climbing the singles ranking at the beginning of 2007, and had broke into the top 30, before her illness hit. This will be her fifth trip to New Haven, with her best result coming in 2006 when she reached the semifinals.
Dinara Safina (No. 9), who had previously committed to the event, has withdrawn from the field due to scheduling reasons as she has just been added to the Olympics singles competition in addition to the doubles competition.
The “cut off” for the direct entries into the women’s main draw is No. 43, reflecting an exceptionally competitive field. Three players that will be looking to receive the three wild cards which have not yet been assigned are Americans Bethanie Mattek, Ashley Harkleroad and Jill Craybas. Players on the alternate list can move into the main draw three ways: by receiving a wildcard, by qualifying or moving into the main draw should there be any withdrawals.
“Having six of the top 20 players in the world commit early, in an Olympic year, is a very positive position for the Pilot Pen to be in at this point,” said Worcester. “What’s even more exciting is that these players are all young, rising stars that will be the face of the tour for many years to come. It’s a great opportunity for fans to see veterans like Amelie Mauresmo compete against rising stars like Radwanska and Szavay for the coveted Pilot Pen Tennis title.”
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.