Diamonds are a girl's best friend, or at least that is what the Hong Kong Tennis Patrons Association (HKTPA) will be hoping after Indian diamond manufacturers JB Group breathed new life into the premier tournament in town - the former Women's Champions Challenge - by signing a three-year title sponsorship deal yesterday.
The withdrawal of long-term title sponsor Watsons Water this year placed organisers under severe financial stress to hold the event next year.
But the HKTPA has clinched a last-minute deal, and the tournament will now be known as the JB Group Classic 2008. It will be played from January 2-5 at Victoria Park.
'This is the first time that a major Indian corporation has come to the forefront of tennis sponsorship,' said HKTPA president Ian Wade. 'It is a bold move, which I'm sure will pay dividends. We are grateful to them.'
As revealed last week by the South China Morning Post, the 2008 tournament will be headlined by Russian glamour girl Maria Sharapova and reigning Wimbledon champion Venus Williams.
They will be joined by two other top-10 players, Serbian Ana Ivanovic and Russian Anna Chakvetadze.