 | Message from Tournament Director How time flies by. We are entering mid 2008 and preparations for the tennis are well in hand. From the courts in France, No2 seeded Ana Ivanovic became the first ever women's Grand Slam singles champion from Serbia, while Virginia Ruano Pascual won her fortieth title playing alongside fellow Spaniard Anabel Medina Garrigues, winning the women's doubles against the Italian-Australian pairing of Francesca Schiavone and Casey Dellacqua in three sets, 6-2 5-7 6-4. As the tournament reaches its exciting conclusion, across the Channel in a suburb of South West London there is plenty of activity preparing for this year's Wimbledon tournament, beckoning to the champions.
Winners from the 2008 Roland Garros have all been to Bali to play in the tournament and we look forward to welcoming them again in September. So be sure and join us in Nusa Dua from September 7-14 to enjoy exciting tennis action. |
| PLAYERS OFF COURTS  Feisty Italian Francesca Schiavone is looking forward to returning to Bali for the first time since she reached the final of the 2005 Commonwealth Bank Tennis Classic. What kept her away was her success in leading her country to two successive Fed Cup finals, held the same week as the Bali event. And, much as she wanted to play on the Paradise Isle, representing her country naturally had to come first. After taking Italy to the title in 2006 with victory over Belgium, winning the decisive doubles with Roberta Vinci, the following year she beat former world number one Amelie Mauresmo, then Tatiana Golovin, and once more won the decisive doubles to defeat France and put Italy back in the final. This year a 3-2 defeat by Spain ended Italy's chance of a third final in three years, but that meant Francesca could once again book her ticket to Bali. She has been in great form in 2008 and proved she is still capable of challenging the best, with a victory over world number one Justine Henin in Dubai. Francesca has many happy memories of Bali, and is eagerly looking forward to her return. "I enjoy to play all the water sports. We went every morning to enjoy with other players. During the time free we stay everybody together, and went maybe to the ocean, to the sea, to the boat. So we have a lot of things to do. It was very nice there," she recalled."I felt very comfortable and the people enjoyed my tennis and that's the most important thing. When the crowd can understand me, I enjoy it much, much more. I want to give them some emotions to enjoy and to see good tennis. The people loved me and I want to come back." |
| GIRLS WITH PEARLS  The Commonwealth Bank Tennis Classic warmly welcomes last year?s partner Atlas South Sea pearls. In 2007, top seeded Serbian player Jelena Jankovic designed and stringed a pearl necklace donated by Atlas, with the proceeds given to UNICEF Serbia. The famous fashion show starring the tennis players were also adorned with the beautiful pieces of jewelry.
South Sea pearls are produced by master craftsmen working with 18ct white & yellow gold, diamonds and precious stones to make pieces that enhance the natural beauty of the pearl. Combining local talent with international experience has resulted in distinctively designed jewellery of the finest quality. A western influence with an Indonesian flavour ensures that the designs appeal to tourists and locals alike. Atlas is a world leader in producing the famed South Sea pearl, sought after for their exceptional size, colour and lustre. Further information available at www.atlassouthseapearl.com.au. |
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