World No. 14 Is Fifth Top-15 Player To Enter Early
NEW HAVEN, Conn., June 7, 2004 – The impressive Pilot Pen Tennis field just added another headliner, as world No. 14 Vera Zvonareva of Russia has committed to make her second appearance in New Haven. With 10 weeks remaining until first serve, Zvonareva joins top-15 standouts Kim Clijsters, Lindsay Davenport, Nadia Petrova, and fast rising teen sensation Maria Sharapova, and world No. 24 Jelena Dokic, at the Pilot Pen presented by Michelob ULTRA, a US Open Series event, set for August 20-28 at the Connecticut Tennis Center at Yale.
Zvonareva made her first trip to New Haven last year when she reached the Round of 16 before falling to Anna Smashnova-Pistolesi. Thus far in 2004 she has posted solid results, reaching the fourth round at the Australian Open and Indian Wells, the quarterfinals at Amelia Island and Charleston, and the semifinals at Warsaw and Rome. She won her second career title at Memphis and played steadily at Roland Garros before losing to compatriot Sharapova in the third round.
“We’re delighted to have Vera back in New Haven this year,” said Anne Worcester, Pilot Pen Tennis tournament director. ”She is near the top of the very strong Russian contingent which is certainly making its mark on the current era of women's tennis.”
At only 19 years of age, Zvonareva has built quite an impressive resume. In 2002, her first full year on Tour, she reached the quarterfinals at Bol, the semifinals at Warsaw and Sopot, the finals in Palermo, and the Round of 16 at Roland Garros, en route to a WTA Tour ranking of 45. Last year, she captured her career-first title at Bol and reached nine Tour quarterfinals, including the French Open. She was also a semifinalist at Strasbourg, Vienna, and Linz, and reached the fourth round at Wimbledon, vaulting into the top 10 and landing at No. 13.
About Pilot Pen Tennis presented by Michelob ULTRA
“New England’s Premier Women’s Sports Entertainment Event of the Year.” The 2004 Pilot Pen presented by Michelob ULTRA (www.pilotpentennis.com), a US Open Series event, will be held August 20-28 at the Connecticut Tennis Center at Yale. Two of the world’s top eight and four of the top-15-ranked players, including Kim Clijsters, Lindsay Davenport, Nadia Petrova, teen sensation Maria Sharapova, and Jelena Dokic have already committed to the tournament. A total of 14 hours of Pilot Pen Tennis action will be televised nationally on ESPN, ESPN2 and CBS Sports. For information on tickets, travel packages, sponsorships or on how to become a volunteer at the 2004 Pilot Pen, call the Pilot Pen Tennis office at 203/776-7331 or 888/99-PILOT.