Malaysian Open, PTT Thailand Open named their marquee players

I'm all excited because the Malaysian Open has named Juan Monaco as one of the four marquee players for this year's tournament. The Argentinian who is a fresh face to the tournament just won the Hamburg title on Sunday and enters the top 10  for the first time today.

The other three marquee players are David Ferrer, Kei Nishikori and Alexandr Dolgopolov.

Meanwhile, PTT Thailand Open who will be celebrating its 10th anniversary has named their marquee players as well. They are Janko Tipsarevic, Gilles Simon, Fernando Verdasco, Richard Gasquet, Milos Raonic, Gael Monfils and Bernard Tomic.

(Images via Malaysian Open and PTT Thailand Open's Facebook fan pages)

Francesca Schiavone, Ayumi Morita support The Power Over Cervical Cancer

The on-going BMW Malaysian Open 2011 today spread its influence and reach for a good cause as Francesca Schiavone, along with Ayumi Morita, Shuko Aoyama and Chan Chin Wei took time off their busy schedules to support a good cause, ‘The Power Over Cervical Cancer (POCC) – Helping To Protect Every Woman’.

which is an integrated communications campaign on Cervical Cancer Education and Awareness, by the National Cancer Society of Malaysia (NCSM).

At the NCSM’s headquarters, the players met with the NCSM’s management and staff who run an invaluable service for women in helping and aiding women to discuss with their healthcare professionals (HCPs), on medical problems and issues while seeking protection against cervical cancer with pap smears and vaccinations.

Group photo - tennis players with celebrities and NCSM management and staff

The players were also taken on a tour of the NCSM’s headquarters and facilities, as they met and mingled with cancer survivors, current patients undergoing treatment and medical consultation, as well as local celebrity ambassadors who champion NCSM’s causes and activities, such as Sarimah Ibrahim, Genevieve Sambhy, and the Chong sisters Vanessa and Pamela.

Schiavone with a young patient

Schiavone, who turned up at NCSM despite nursing an injury picked up during yesterday’s match, said, “I am passionate about charitable causes such as NCSM’s POCC campaign as back in Italy, I have friends who are both cancer patients and doctors who treat cancer patients. Off and on, every couple of months I go to a big private hospital near my home and stay there for as long as I can to lend my support and help out in whatever way that I can, as it is a great experience and I will continue to do so as long as I can.”

(Images by Carbon Media Management)

Jetstar hosts kids at Aces Charity Tennis Clinic with Zhang Shuai

Jetstar hosted a special Aces Tennis Clinic with Zhang Shuai today.

The event was meant for young children from the Pertubuhan Kebajikan Kanak-Kanak Yatim Dan Miskin Wawasan Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan, (PKKKYDMWPDNS), formerly known as New Life Care Centre.

At the fun-filled visit, the children picked up fundamental tennis skills from their inspiring coach, the up and coming Chinese tennis player Zhang.

Zhang Shuai began playing tennis at the age of 6 and she has earned the record of the lowest-ranked player to ever defeat a reigning world no. 1 in a WTA main tour event, beating Dinara Safina at the 2009 China Open.

(Images by Haystac for Jetstar)

Dinara Safina in Kuala Lumpur for BMW Malaysian Open

Dinara Safina, currently ranked no.112, made an appearance at the BMW Malaysian Open presser a moment ago.

Although she made into the tournament's Main Draw, she refused to comment much about her chance here nor making it into the top 10 or no.1 spot again.

According to Safina, she just wanted to be healthy and wouldn't think much.

At the presser, the tournament organiser assured the media that besides Francesca Schiavone, another top 10 player will be making her way to Malaysia too.

The recipient of the wild card will be announced in a couple of days and it will depend on the results in Doha.

I predict it could be Jelena Jankovic or Vera Zvonareva... could be Caroline Wozniacki too depending how much the organiser would pay for her appearance.

That's it for now. I'll come back with more updates on the BMW Malaysian Open soon.

(Images by HSFoo of HCFoo's Tennis Blog)

Ready, Set, Match with Kronenbourg 1664 at BMW Malaysian Open

As part of the sponsorship with BMW Malaysian Open starting from Feb 28 to Mar 6, 2011, Kronenbourg 1664 will be organising a few off-court events to create a great atmosphere for tennis fans.

If you're going to attend the tournament, please take note of these highlights:

Marion Bartoli, no.1 French player.

1. Kronenbourg 1664 Meet The Players Autograph Session

Visitors who purchase a bottle of Kronenbourg 1664 (and know how to enjoy the taste of French Art of Pleasure) will get an opportunity to visit the Kronenbourg 1664 Marquee to get up close and personal with the tennis players. This session is held daily throughout the tournament at 6pm.

2. Get Shot with Kronenbourg 1664

Get your picture taken by one of our Kronenbourg 1664 tennis girls and you would stand a chance to win exclusive autographed tennis merchandise. Kronenbourg 1664 tennis girls will be roaming the tournament grounds and capturing moments of pleasure enjoyed throughout the day.

3. Time-out with Kronenbourg 1664

Throughout the duration of the tournament, Non-Muslim ticket holders above 18 years of age will be able to enjoy a complimentary serving of Kronenbourg 1664. To enjoy the great taste of the French premium beer, it will be served from 16:00 daily for 64 minutes. All you have to do is be the first 100 spectators to present your ticket at the Kronenbourg 1664 marquee.

4. Ladies Day

All ladies are invited to the Ladies Day on Saturday 5 March 2010 and will be treated with free entry to the tournament ground and a chance to enjoy the delectable Kronenbourg 1664 on a one for one basis.

5. The Kronenbourg 1664 After Party

All finals day ticket holders get entry into the Kronenbourg 1664 after party to celebrate what will be a great week of tennis. The party kicks off soon after the 2011 Malaysian Open singles final.

If you still haven't get your tickets, you can purchase them from Ticketpro.

Or else, you can also try your luck in winning a season pass by taking part in the contest posted on the tournament's Facebook page.

Try out our free a+ certification and latest 350-001 training courses to get high flying success in final 640-802 & test king exams, 640-802 dumps is also very useful tool.

BMW Malaysian Open: Dinara Safina, Marion Bartoli among players announced

The BMW Malaysian Open official website was updated yesterday.

The tournament organiser has posted the main draw list but we have no idea who are the players that will receive wildcard this year.

Here's the complete list:

• Marion Bartoli FRA
• Alisa Kleybanova RUS
• Lucie Safarova CZE
• Kimiko Date-Krumm JPN
• Shuai Peng CHN
• Bojana Jovanovski SRB
• Tamarine Tanasugarn THA
• Akgul Amanmuradova UZB
• Ayumi Morita JPN
• Dinara Safina RUS
• Alberta Brianti ITA
• Shuai Zhang CHN
• Magdalena Rybarikova SVK
• Maria Elena Camerin ITA
• Junri Namigata JPN
• Regina Kulikova RUS
• Kai-Chen Chang TPE
• Zuzana Kucova SVK
• Kurumi Nara JPN
• Xinyun Han CHN
• Misaki Doi JPN
• Tatjana Malek GER
• Jelena Dokic AUS
• Michaella Krajicek NED
• Plus 4 qualifiers and 4 wild cards

Li Na who came here last year will most likely miss this small tournament.

I'm quite impressed with the quality and number of sponsors this year. And because of that fans get to enjoy affordable ticket prices this time around. I suggest you get your season passes before February 25, 2011 as a single pass only costs you RM100.

To grab your tickets, go to Ticketpro website.

BMW Malaysian Open: Cheap tickets up for grab

The tickets for the BMW Malaysian Open are finally up for sale and the tickets are really, really cheap!

If you're a women's tennis fan (or not) and enjoy a good outdoor tennis tournament under the sun at affordable prices, this is the place to be with.

The season passes are as cheap as RM100 (early bird tickets purchased before Feb 25, 2011) while entrance is free from Monday to Wednesday! To get your tickets, go to Ticketpro website.

Click image to enlarge

Just like last year, I think there'll be a lot of Japanese and Russian players.

I still haven't got the entry list yet but some of the names mentioned so far are Marion Bartoli, defending champ Alisa Kleybanova, Dinara Safina, Peng Shuai, Michaella Kracijek and Kimiko Date-Krumm.

The tournament organiser could be announcing the players entry list any time this week... so watch this space.

(Images via ticketpro)

BMW named title sponsor of WTA Malaysian Open 2011

Kudos to the WTA Malaysian Open for having automotive giants BMW coming on board as title sponsor for this year's tournament.

Last year, the tournament was without a title sponsor until The Holden Horses Health Sanctuary stepped in last minute.

The BMW Malaysian Open, which will be held at the same place at Bukit Kiara Equestrian and Country Resort from February 28 to March 6, offers a total prize money of US$220,000.

More details coming up soon...

Players' arrival photos in Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur

As a big tennis fan and tennis mamarazzi, nothing beats welcoming my favourite players at the airport with a bunch of flowers :D

Unlike last year, this time I only got to know Rendy Lu Yen-hsun's flight schedule. Rendy arrived together with his mom, brother and his team.

Meanwhile in Bangkok, the organiser sent me some arrival photos of their star players - Juan Martin Del Potro, Ernests Gulbis, Fernando Verdasco and Jurgen Melzer (in sequence).

Yay, Del Potro is back in tournament!

(Images via PTT Thailand Open 2010, HSFoo of HCFoo's Tennis Blog)

It's not easy being Kei Nishikori

Kei Nishikori is probably one of the few players whom I want to meet personally.

My wish came true yesterday when he was present at the Malaysian Open Main Draw ceremony.


Poor Nishikori... he suffered jet lag and couldn't stop yawning from the moment he sat down during the event which was made public this year.

Yawning or not I'm still cute :D

After the Main Draw ceremony, Nishikori went to the Wilson booth for an autograph session. The crowd was quite amazing!

Hope you like the candid photos and the video below.



For original photos without watermark, you can request from me at hcfoo7@gmail.com


(Images by HSFoo of HCFoo's Tennis Blog)

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2010 Malaysian Open Tennis Tournament

We're just 1.5 months away from the 2010 Malaysian Open Tennis Tournament!


I was at the press conference recently to witness the launching and players announcement.



So far Robin Soderling, Nikolay Davydenko, Tomas Berdych, David Ferrer, Mikhail Youzhny, Nicolas Almagro, Marcos Baghdatis, Lleyton Hewitt and Rendy Lu Yen-Hsun are the confirmed line-up who will headline the USD947,750 prize money tournament.

I've uploaded the players message video which features Baghdatis, Youzhny, Soderling and Ferrer.

The ATP 250 tournament is scheduled to take place from September 25 to October 3, at Stadium Putra, Bukit Jalil.

Tournament director Nick Freyer makes a brief intro of Rendy.

I'm looking forward to meeting Rendy Lu again.


Together with some fans, we're planning to make a banner to welcome him when he arrives in Malaysia and of course to support him throughout this tournament.


The line-up are strong but who knows he will grab his first ATP 250 title here ;-) Drop me an email if you're interested to join us!

With Lina Teoh the emcee of the Malaysian Open. She's a reason not to miss the tournament.

Giant sized buntings at the presser.

To purchase your tickets soon you can get it from Ticketpro's website:
http://www.ticketpro.com.my/jnp/sports/tennis/435460-atp-2010.html


Here's the official website of the tournament: http://www.malaysianopentennis.com/2010/



(Photos credit to HSFoo of hcfoo.com)

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Kleybanova, Chan Yung-jan/ Zheng Jie win WTA Malaysian Open

Alisa Kleybanova won her first WTA title at the Malaysian Open today after beating favourite Elena Dementieva 6-3, 6-2 in an all-Russian final.

“It has been a tough week with many tough sets and matches. I’m just so happy to finally claim my first title,” the fourth-seeded Kleybanova said.

“I’ve been waiting so long for this moment, training hard and playing in many tournaments. Everything came together in the final and I would like to thank Elena for the good match.”

Meanwhile, Zheng Jie and Chan Yung-jan defeated sisters Anastasia and Arina Rodionova 6-7(4), 6-2, 10-7 to win the doubles title.

This is their first title in just their second event together and earned $11,000 each for the victory.

Personally, I had a blast through the entire week at the WTA Malaysian Open. Hope to see more players in action again next year!

(Images via Yahoo! Sports)

WTA Malaysian Open 2010: Day 6 Results & OOP for Final Day

It's an all Russian affair final at the WTA Malaysian Open 2010 tomorrow.

Elena Dementieva and Alisa Kleybanova, who have never played each other before, will be looking to make history by becoming the first winner of the inaugural US$220,000 event.

Alisa Kleybanova

In today’s first singles semifinal match, Kleybanova defeated 19 year-old Ayumi Morita 6-4, 6-1.

Meanwhile, in a rain delayed second singles semifinal match, Dementieva beat Sybille Bammer 6-1, 6-3.

Elena Dementieva

The last match of the day saw Alla Kudryavtseva and Galina Voskoboeva take on the first seeded pairing of Chan Yung-Jan and Zheng Jie in the second doubles semi-final.

It was an easy victory for Zheng Jie and Chan who worked together perfectly and sealed their place in the finals with 6-4, 6-0.

They will meet sisters, Anastasia and Arina Rodionova tomorrow. Tomorrow’s matches will kick-off with the doubles final at 2PM on Centre Court. Following that will be the singles final at 4PM and the prize presentation.

Here's the complete results and OOP for the final day FYI.

(Via Carbon Media)

WTA Malaysian Open 2010: Day 5 Results & OOP for Day 6

Alisa Kleybanova

Top seed Elena Dementieva displayed her class and was hardly pushed throughout her two-set encounter with Magdalena Rybarikova.

The Russian triumphed in just 1 hour and 2 minutes to win 6-0, 6-3, setting up an exciting semifinal match against no.6 seed Sybille Bammer, who overcame Chang Kai-Chen 6-3, 3-6, 3-6.

In another match yesterday, Ayumi Morita played strongly to defeat Chanelle Scheepers 6-3, 7-5 and progressed to the other semifinal where she will meet Alisa Kleybanova who defeated Anastasia Rodionova 4-6, 6-3, 6-4.

In doubles, second seeds Chan Yung-Jan and Zheng Jie booked their place in the semifinals after overcoming Vitalia Diatchenko (RUS) and Chanelle Scheepers (RSA) 4-6, 4-6.

Here's the complete results for yesterday.

Click on image for larger view

Today’s singles semifinal matches will see Alisa Kleybanova take on Ayumi Morita at 2pm on Centre Court. That match will be followed by the second singles semifinal featuring Elena Dementieva and Sybille Bammer.

The final match of the day will see a doubles semifinal between the pairing of Chan Yung-Jan and Zheng Jie against Alla Kudryavtseva and Galina Voskoboeva. The winners will play against sisters Anastasia and Arina Rodionova.

Click the following image for the OOP on Day 6.

Click on image for larger view

(Via Carbon Media)

Happy Birthday Li Na!

Today is Li Na's 28th birthday and I'm lucky enough to be invited to her surprise birthday bash.

Together with the linesmen, ballboys/ballgirls, media and organisers, we started off by singing the birthday song (Malay version) and followed by the English version.

The bouquet of flowers was from HCFoo's Tennis Blog ;-)

Hope Li Na will have a great year ahead and perhaps win the Grand Slam this year ;)

(Images by HSFoo)

WTA Malaysian Open 2010: Day 4 Results & OOP for Day 5

Magdalena Rybarikova outplayed young Thai star, Noppawan Lertcheewakarn 6-4, 7-5 to book her place in the quarterfinals.

In another match, Tatjana Malek, who pulled off an upset by defeating Li Na on Tuesday, lost to Channelle Scheepers in three sets 4-6, 6-2, 6-3.

In doubles, sisters Anastasia Rodionova and Arina Rodionova pulled off an upset by defeating first seeds Alisa Kleybanova and Yan Zi in two sets 6-3, 7-6 (5).

Here's the complete results for Day 5.

Singles
Sybille Bammer (AUT) def. Akgul Amanmuradova (UZB) – 6-3, 6-0
Chanelle Scheepers (RSA) def. Tatjana Malek (GER) – 4-6, 6-2, 6-3
Magdalena Rybarikova (SVK) def. Noppawan Lertcheewakarn (THA) – 6-4, 7-5
Chang Kai-Chen (TPE) def. Zheng jie (CHN) -6-2, 6-3

Doubles
Anastasia Rodionova (AUS) & Arina Rodionova (RUS) def. Alisa Kleybanova (RUS) & Yan Zi (CHN) - 6-3, 7-6 (5)
Alla Kudryavtseva (RUS) & Galina Voskoboeva (KAZ) def Sarah Borwell(GBR) & Kops-Jones (USA)
Ekaterina Dzehalevich (BLR) & Tatjana Malek (GER) def Akgul Amanmuradova (UZB) & Darya Kustova (BLR)

Tomorrow’s singles feature match will see Rybarikova take on first seed Elena Dementieva at 6pm on Centre Court.

Another match worth watching for is the one between up and coming Chinese Taipei player Chang Kai-Chen who will be meeting Sybille Bammer.

In the doubles match, Vitalia Diatchenko and Chanelle Scheepers will take on Chan Yung-Jan and Zheng Jie.

Here's the OOP for tomorrow.

(Via Carbon Media)