World No. 1 women's doubles player Virginia Ruano Pascual has confirmed participation for the doubles draw in the Sunfeast Open 2005, Kolkata. She will partner none other than India's very own tennis sensation Sania Mirza for the September 19-25 tournament.
Pascual, the Spanish champion, has three WTA Tour singles titles and 34 WTA Tour doubles titles to her credit with aggregate prize-money of $4,218,340. She claimed three French Open doubles titles and won the US Open doubles for three consecutive years -- 2002, 2003 and 2004. She has also won the coveted Australian Open doubles in 2004.
Says Mahesh Bhupathi, Managing Director, Globosport India Pvt. Ltd., Sania's fantastic performance at the US Open 2005 has been successful in impressing and achieving international acclaim. Virginia's decision to partner Sania for the doubles draw at Sunfeast Open 2005, Kolkata just goes to prove this point.
"The duo would a make good combination where experience would join hands with fresh talent and sincerity to excel. The addition of yet another world's top seed player to the player field of Sunfeast Open 2005, talks volumes of the quality and reach of Indian tennis and will definitely help us make the tournament a roaring success."
Tournament Director Jaidip Mukherjea too was elated. "It doesn't get bigger than this. We have managed to get the women's World No 1 player in doubles to participate at the Sunfeast Open 2005. This is a coup of sorts and is an incredible opportunity for India to project itself as a country rich in tennis talent, thereby successfully placing it on the global sporting arena.
"Players like Virginia, Myskina, Likhovtseva, Karolina Sprem, Tanasugarn among others will ensure in keeping the excitement for Sunfeast Open 2005 alive as we closer to the D-day. With some more surprises to unfold, our hopes of a super hit tournament are only soaring by the minute."
The combination of Sania and Virginia will provide an ideal recipe for tennis fans and enthusiasts who will be witness some top tennis action. Virginia's dominance on the doubles circuit will act as a perfect complement to Sania's aggressive play. Partnering Virginia will be a great learning experience for Sania Mirza who continues to make an impression with every tour. With her singles career already on a high and having achieved her goals for the year, Sania can also concentrate on her skills in doubles and improve on her overall serve and volley game in addition to her strong backhand and forehand.
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