Star field for China contest
The strongest line-up ever assembled for an Asian tournament will head to Beijing next month for the second annual China Open.
Multiple grand slam winners Venus and Serena Williams, world number one Lindsay Davenport and Russian sensation Maria Sharapova headline a stellar women's field that is already creating a buzz in the capital.
Brilliant Spanish teenager Rafael Nadal, the French Open champion and winner of nine titles this year, is the main attraction in an impressive men's line-up that includes three other grand slam winners.
The presence of so many superstars has tournament director Ekkehard Rathgeber predicting fireworks when play gets under way at the state-of-the-art Beijing Tennis Centre on September 10.
'We're looking forward to what should be a fantastic spectacle,' says Rathgeber, who is also chief operating officer of tournament co-organiser TOM Group Limited. 'Chinese fans will have the chance to watch the four biggest names in women's tennis, while Nadal is the hottest player in the men's game.
'This is comfortably the best line-up there has ever been for a tournament in Asia and it is proof that the China Open is already one of the most high-profile events on the tennis calendar.'
Venus Williams, Davenport and Nadal will all be making their mainland debuts.
As with last year's event, the two-week tournament will see men's singles and doubles played the first week (September 10 to 18) and women's singles and doubles the following week (September 17 to 25).
Joining Nadal in the main men's draw will be former French Open champions Juan Carlos Ferrero and Carlos Moya, ex-Australian Open winner Thomas Johansson and Asia's top player, Paradorn Srichaphan of Thailand.
In the women's singles, Venus will be aiming to dethrone sister Serena, the winner of the event last year.
