pierce0415
Nov 30th, 2005, 08:59 PM
Clijsters leads field at Sydney event
Former world No.1s Kim Clijsters, Justine Henin-Hardenne and Amelie Mauresmo will headline the women's draw at next month's Medibank International at the Sydney International Tennis Centre.
The star trio were confirmed as starters alongside men's drawcards Lleyton Hewitt and Rafael Nadal.
Clijsters is coming off the best season of her career.
After missing most of 2003 with a career-threatening wrist injury, the 22-year-old Belgian captured nine titles, including her maiden grand slam crown at the US Open in September.
Clijsters, the 2003 Sydney champion, ended the year as the world No.2 behind only Lindsay Davenport after starting the season in 134th spot.
Henin-Hardenne, like her Belgian compatriot, also started the season late as she nursed an injury to her right knee.
The 2004 Sydney champion returned to her brilliant best with a second French Open triumph in June and ended the year with four titles and ranked No.6.
Mauresmo reached the top of the rankings for the first time in 2005 before ending the season at No.3.
The Frenchwoman, who won the Sydney title in 2000 and was runner-up in 2004, ended the year in style with victory over countrywoman Mary Pierce in the final of the season-ending championships in Los Angeles.
Hewitt, a four-time Sydney winner, had already confirmed he was returning to defend his title, while the second-ranked Nadal, the Spanish teenage sensation who won 11 tournaments in 2005, will be making his first appearance at the event.
The tournament runs from January 9-15.
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Still waiting for full commitment list :mad:
Former world No.1s Kim Clijsters, Justine Henin-Hardenne and Amelie Mauresmo will headline the women's draw at next month's Medibank International at the Sydney International Tennis Centre.
The star trio were confirmed as starters alongside men's drawcards Lleyton Hewitt and Rafael Nadal.
Clijsters is coming off the best season of her career.
After missing most of 2003 with a career-threatening wrist injury, the 22-year-old Belgian captured nine titles, including her maiden grand slam crown at the US Open in September.
Clijsters, the 2003 Sydney champion, ended the year as the world No.2 behind only Lindsay Davenport after starting the season in 134th spot.
Henin-Hardenne, like her Belgian compatriot, also started the season late as she nursed an injury to her right knee.
The 2004 Sydney champion returned to her brilliant best with a second French Open triumph in June and ended the year with four titles and ranked No.6.
Mauresmo reached the top of the rankings for the first time in 2005 before ending the season at No.3.
The Frenchwoman, who won the Sydney title in 2000 and was runner-up in 2004, ended the year in style with victory over countrywoman Mary Pierce in the final of the season-ending championships in Los Angeles.
Hewitt, a four-time Sydney winner, had already confirmed he was returning to defend his title, while the second-ranked Nadal, the Spanish teenage sensation who won 11 tournaments in 2005, will be making his first appearance at the event.
The tournament runs from January 9-15.
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Still waiting for full commitment list :mad: