(Eds: Changing date in para 8)Mumbai, Nov 13 (PTI) Former world no. 2, VeraZvonareva of Russia, is among the star attractions in the125,000 USD WTA L and T Mumbai Open Tennis to be held at theCricket Club of India's courts here from November 18-26.
The 33-year-old Zvonareva, bronze medal winner at the2008 Beijing Games and singles runner-up at Wimbledon and USOpen in 2010 - the best year of her career - was racked byinjuries in 2012 to slip down the rankings and then missed theentire 2013 season due to a shoulder surgery.
"She is on a comeback trail this year after givingbirth to a child," said Sunder Iyer, secretary of theMaharashtra State Lawn Tennis Association which is organisingthe event in association with the Maharashtra government.
Among other top players who will be seen in the maindraw of 32 are 19-year-old Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus, theworld no. 78 who will head the seedings, and former world no12 Yanina Wickmayer of Belgium who is currently ranked 112th,it was announced at a media conference today.
Also in the fray would be world no. 105 Zhu Lin ofChina, no. 117 Arina Rodionova of Russia, no. 120 Naomi Bradyof Britain, no.132 Anna Schmiedlova of Slovakia, no.136Jasmine Paolini of Italy and Lizette Faith Cabrera ofAustralia who is ranked 137.
Four Indian players would be given wild cards in themain draw and two more in the qualifying stage.
The front runners among the host country's players forgaining direct entry into the main draw as wild cards areKarman Kaur Thandi, the current India no. 1, former no.1Ankita Raina, host state's no. 1 Rutuja Bhosale and worldjunior no. 18 Zeel Desai, it was announced.
The wild card recipients would be known on November16, it was learnt.
Chairperson of the organising committee, AmrutaFadnavis, said that the tournament would enable the Indiangirls to improve their rankings.
"Indian girls are progressing in women's tennisrankings and this tournament would provide the much-neededplatform to take them to the next stage," she told reporters.
According to tournament director Prashant Sutar, thewomen's singles winner will get USD 20,000 and 160 WTA pointswhile the losing finalist will receive USD 11,000 and 95points.
There would be a doubles event too with the winnerstaking home USD 5,500 and 160 points and runners-up USD 2,700and 95 points.
CCI would be hosting a big tennis event for the firsttime since 2007 when it last hosted an ATP Tour event.
The qualifiers would be held on November 18 and 19while the main draw matches are to commence on November 20.
Matches will commence at 2:30 pm on the first threedays and at 4:00 pm thereafter. PTI SSR NRBNRB.
This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Press Trust of India wire.
