Defending champion, World No. 9 and rising star Caroline Wozniacki has committed to Pilot Pen Tennis presented by Schick, an Olympus US Open Series event on the ATP World Tour and Sony Ericsson WTA Tour to be held August 21-29, 2009 at the Connecticut Tennis Center at Yale, it was announced today by Anne Worcester, tournament director.
Along with Wozniacki, World No. 11 Marion Bartoli has also entered the field and joins former World No. 1 and two-time Grand Slam champion Amelie Mauresmo, and two up-and-coming stars on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour, Dominika Cibulkova and Alize Cornet, as the female players entered in the tournament thus far. In addition, Americans Mardy Fish and Taylor Dent, and French Open quarterfinalist Tommy Robredo are entered in the event on the men’s side.
Wozniacki, who just over a week ago won the fifth singles title of her career at Eastbourne, had a breakthrough season in 2008 winning titles in Stockholm, Tokyo, and at the Pilot Pen, where as an unseeded player she defeated four of the top eight seeds en route to the title. She has continued her winning ways this year capturing two titles (Ponte Vedra Beach), reaching the finals of three other events (Memphis, Charleston and Madrid) and climbing to a career-high ranking of No. 9 in the world.
“I am thrilled to be coming back to defend my title at the Pilot Pen,” said Wozniacki. “I loved the atmosphere at the tournament last year and the terrific fan support helped me to the title. I hope that I have just as much success again this year in New Haven.”
Bartoli, who will be making her sixth trip to the Pilot Pen, has had a strong 2009 campaign winning her fourth career title at Monterrey, reaching the finals of Brisbane, the semifinals of Charleston and Eastbourne, and the quarterfinals of the Australian Open. She is well-known for her upset of former World No. 1 Justine Henin en route to the Wimbledon finals in 2007 and for having Pierce Brosnan cheer for her from the Royal Box.
“Adding two of the top stars in the women’s game is fantastic for the Pilot Pen,” said Worcester. “Caroline Wozniacki’s win last year is a perfect example of how fans can discover the stars of tomorrow at the Pilot Pen and in an up close and intimate atmosphere. Last year she was unseeded, and this year she is one of the best players on the Tour. That speaks volumes about the value our fans get for their tickets.”
For tickets, how to become a volunteer, or more information about the Tournament, please call the Pilot Pen Tennis Box Office, 888/99-PILOT, 203/776-7331, or log on to www.pilotpentennis.com.