World No. 11 Becomes Sixth Top-15 Player Entry
NEW HAVEN, Conn., June 23, 2004 – The Pilot Pen Tennis field continues to grow, as world No. 11 Paola Suarez of Argentina has committed to make her second singles appearance in New Haven. Suarez has competed in doubles in each of the past five years, taking home the doubles title with longtime partner Virginia Ruano Pascual last year. Pilot Pen Tennis presented by Michelob ULTRA, a US Open Series event, is set for August 20-28 at the Connecticut Tennis Center at Yale.
With eight weeks remaining until first serve, Suarez, who turns 28 today, joins top-15 standouts Kim Clijsters, Lindsay Davenport, Nadia Petrova, Vera Zvonareva, and teen sensation Maria Sharapova, as well as world No. 24 Magdalena Maleeva, and No. 25 Jelena Dokic in the field.
In addition to gaining international acclaim for her successful doubles pairing with Ruano Pascual, Suarez has risen to elite status in singles over the past few months. She has posted solid results thus far in 2004, winning her fourth career singles title at Canberra in January, and taking doubles titles at the Australian Open and Indian Wells. Perhaps her most impressive showing was at Roland Garros last month, where Suarez reached the singles semifinals and earned her third consecutive Grand Slam doubles title with Ruano Pascual. Suarez broke into the Top 10 in singles immediately thereafter, with a career-best singles ranking of No. 9, and solidified her position as part of the No. 1 women’s doubles team in the world.
“We’re delighted to welcome Paola back to New Haven this year,” said Anne Worcester, Pilot Pen Tennis tournament director. ”She is no doubt playing some of her best tennis, in both singles and doubles, and as our defending doubles champion, the fans will enjoy her entertaining style of play.”
Suarez has won four singles titles and 34 doubles crowns during her impressive 10-year career. In singles play, she is a two-time Grand Slam quarterfinalist (2002 French Open, 2003 US Open) and a semifinalist at this year’s French Open. Her doubles titles include three wins with Ruano Pascual at the French Open (2004, 2002 and 2001), two titles at US Open (2003 and 2002), and the 2003 WTA Tour season-ending Championships. She is currently a member of the Argentine Fed Cup Team and represented her country in both the 1996 and 2000 summer Olympics.
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 five and six of the top-15-ranked players, including Kim Clijsters, Lindsay Davenport, Nadia Petrova, Paula Suarez, Vera Zvonareva, Maria Sharapova, Magdalena Maleeva 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.