Two More Top-10 Players Join No. 3 Agnieszka Radwanska, No. 7 Caroline Wozniacki
and Rising American Christina McHale; Four of WTA Top 10 in New Haven Open Field
NEW HAVEN, Conn., June 11, 2012 – French Open finalist and world No. 10 Sara Errani and world No. 8 Marion Bartoli have committed to play the 2012 New Haven Open at Yale presented by First Niagara, a WTA event that is part of the Emirates Airline US Open Series to be held August 17-25, 2012 at the Connecticut Tennis Center, it was announced today by Tournament Director Anne Worcester.
Errani has had a spectacular start to 2012, winning three WTA titles, reaching the quarterfinals of the Australian Open and defeating three Grand Slam titlists in her run to the French Open final just last week. The Italian also picked up her first Grand Slam title in the French Open women’s doubles event with partner Roberta Vinci. After starting 2012 ranked outside the top 40, Errani’s spectacular play has catapulted her to her career-high ranking of No. 10 in the world. Due to her success in doubles as well, she is currently the only WTA player to be ranked in the top 10 in both singles and doubles.
Another Grand Slam finalist joining Errani in the New Haven Open field is Bartoli. Bartoli, who beat then-world No. 1 Justine Henin to reach the Wimbledon final in 2007, is fresh off another big win over then-world No. 1 Victoria Azarenka in Miami, handing the Belarusian her first loss of 2012. The 27-year-old from France reached a career-high ranking of No. 7 in January and has since been a top-eight mainstay.
“We are delighted to add two more top-10 players to the New Haven Open field for a total of four of the top 10 players, especially this far in advance of the entry deadline,” said Worcester. “Fresh off the French Open final, Sara has had a terrific 2012 and Marion is always a fierce competitor, so we are excited to see what they will do in New Haven in August.”
With the addition of Errani and Bartoli, the New Haven Open currently has four top-10 players in its field, joining four-time defending champion and world No. 7 Caroline Wozniacki and world No. 3 Agniesza Radwanska. Also announced is American rising star Christina McHale, who reached a career-high ranking of No. 29 after her third round appearance at Roland Garros.
Daily tickets are now on sale for the 2012 New Haven Open. For a limited time, fans will have access to an exclusive “buy-one-get-one” offer. Buy one (1) box ring or middle tier seat and get a second one at no additional cost. Bring a friend, family member or tennis doubles partner for free to see top WTA players the rising stars of tomorrow in action on stadium court.
To receive this limited time offer, enter promotion code BOGO when purchasing online or contact the New Haven Open box office. Don’t miss your chance to experience world class women’s tennis along with a host of off-court, fan-friendly activities. Limit four (4) total tickets per order. Free ticket will be for the same session.
Log on to www.newhavenopen.com or call 1-855-464-8366 for more information. Also, make sure to join New Haven Open on Facebook & Twitter for tournament updates, contests and more.
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About New Haven Open at Yale presented by First Niagara
New Haven Open at Yale presented by First Niagara has always been much more than a tennis tournament; it is a leading example of leveraging a large-scale international sporting event to generate $26 million in regional economic impact and to build community pride, spirit and engagement, especially among youth. The 2011 tournament featured World No. 1 and now four-time defending champion Caroline Wozniacki, and three Grand Slam champions Li Na, Francesca Schiavone and Svetlana Kuznetsova. The women’s-only WTA event is part of the Olympus US Open Series and will be held August 17-25, 2012 at the Connecticut Tennis Center at Yale. The New Haven Open is prominently featured domestically on ESPN2 and also broadcast around the world. For more information about the tournament and tickets, visit www.newhavenopen.com or call 1-855-464-8366.
About First Niagara
First Niagara, through its wholly owned subsidiary, First Niagara Bank, N.A., is a multi-state community-oriented bank that currently has approximately $33 billion in assets, $19 billion in deposits, more than 330 branches and 5,000 employees providing financial services to individuals, families and businesses across Upstate New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Massachusetts. For more information, visit www.fnfg.com.
When First Niagara completes its acquisition of the HSBC branches, expected to occur in the second quarter of 2012, the regional bank will have an enhanced leadership position in the Northeast, with nearly 430 locations, $30 billion in total deposits, $38 billion in assets and more than 6,000 employees serving consumers, businesses and communities across New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Massachusetts. The transaction will also provide First Niagara with number-one retail market share across Upstate New York, virtually doubling its number of branches in New York State to more than 200, stretching from Buffalo to Albany and down through the Hudson Valley.
About Emirates Airline US Open Series
Now in its ninth season, the Emirates Airline US Open Series continues to serve as a true regular season of hard court tennis, linking 10 summer tournaments to the US Open. Fans
follow the action throughout the summer during national broadcast coverage while players battle for $40 million, including a chance for bonus prize money at the US Open. The Series collectively reached a U.S. television audience of 39 million and drew more than 800,000 on-site fans in 2011. In 2012, Emirates Airline became the title sponsor of the Series, as well as the official airline of the US Open. The Emirates Airline US Open Series is also supported by sponsors American Express, Chase, Citizen Watch Company, Esurance, evian and Gatorade.
Americans Mardy Fish and Serena Williams swept the 2011 Emirates Airline US Open Series men’s and women’s titles. In 2007, Roger Federer collected the biggest paycheck in tennis history – $2.4 million – for winning the US Open and the Emirates Airline US Open Series. In 2005, Kim Clijsters also captured both the US Open and the Series, winning $2.2 million – the largest purse in women’s sports history – and equaled that amount in 2010, winning the US Open and finishing the Emirates Airline US Open Series in second place.