World number nine Patty Schnyder will replace mother-to-be Lindsay Davenport in the Watsons Water Champions Challenge at Victoria Park next month. The left-handed Schnyder (pictured), a Swiss national, is one of the most 'dangerous' players on the tour and has a reputation for upsetting the big names. She will take Davenport's place in the singles and partner Maria Sharapova in the doubles event.
Ian Wade, president of the Hong Kong Tennis Patrons' Association, said: 'This signing completes a formidable field. We now have six players in the world's top 10. I can't recall any tournament outside a grand slam or a Tier One event that has attracted such a strong field. Patty Schnyder gives the tournament an even greater competitive edge.'
Schnyder joins world number two Sharapova, Svetlana Kuznetsova (four), Kim Clijsters (five), Elena Dementieva (eight), Nicole Vaidisova (10) and Chinese stars Zheng Jie and Yan Zi, who won the Wimbledon and Australian Open doubles titles this year, in the event, which runs from January 3-6 at Victoria Park. Zheng and Yan are the world's number two team.