Jankovic & Bartoli top DFS Classic entry list
Jelena Jankovic - 2007 DFS Classic Champion
Amongst the highlights of the entry list released on Wednesday, Jelena Jankovic and
Marion Bartoli emerged as the top two players competing at this summer's DFS Classic in Edgbaston.
The the full entry list, which was released on Wednesday, highlighted a crop of world class players who have committed to compete at the DFS Classic which is taking place at the Edgbaston Priory Club between 9th-15th June (Box office: 0871 945 3000).
With four wildcards and eight qualifiers still to be confirmed, Jelena Jankovic heads up the players who have committed to playing in Edgbaston this summer. The 23 year-old, ranked No 3 in the world, is the reigning DFS Classic champion having defeated Maria Sharapova in an epic three set final in 2007. The Serbian right-hander also has the Wimbledon mixed doubles trophy in her cabinet following an unforgettable roller-coaster run with Jamie Murray.
Amongst those challenging Jankovic for the title will be the Wimbledon runner-up, Frenchwoman Marion Bartoli. The world No 9 has an excellent grass court pedigree having also reached the semi-finals in both Edgbaston and Eastbourne in 2007. Making up the top seeds will be Vera Zvonareva (No 12), Dinara Safina (No 14), Agnieszka Radwanska (No 15), Victoria Azarenka (No 17), Sybille Bammer (No 22) and Alona Bondarenko (No 27).
Marjory Howie, DFS Classic Tournament Director, said: “The quality of play at this year’s DFS Classic is going to be exceptional. We’re all looking forward to welcoming some of the world’s best players alongside a wealth of exciting young talent. I’ve got no doubt that the players you see in the final stages in Edgbaston will all be in the running for success at Wimbledon.”
Tickets are currently on sale for the DFS Classic which takes place at the Edgbaston Priory Club and offers sports fans an opportunity to watch world class tennis. Ticket information is available from the box office on 0871 945 3000. The qualifying for the DFS Classic begins on 7th June with main draw matches taking place between 9th-15th June.
Full entry list
Women (WTA world rankings as of 26/05/2008)
1. Jelena Jankovic (SRB) - No 3
2. Marion Bartoli (FRA) - No 9 3. Vera Zvonareva (RUS) - No 12
4. Dinara Safina (RUS) - No 14
5. Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) - No 15
6. Victoria Azarenka (BLR) - No 17
7. Sybille Bammer (AUT) - No 22
8. Alona Bondarenko (UKR) - No 27
9. Virginie Razzano (FRA) - No 28
10. Sania Mirza (IND) - No 32
11. Olga Govortsova (BLR) - No 37
12. Michaella Krajicek (NED) - No 44
13. Tamira Paszek (AUT) - No 46
14. Akgul Amanmuradova (UZB) - No 50
15. Milagros Sequera (VEN) - No 50 [SR]
16. Casey Dellacqua (AUS) - No 51
17. Kateryna Bondarenko (UKR) - No 57
18. Aravane Rezai (FRA) - No 58
19. Jill Craybas (USA) - No 62
20. Mariya Koryttseva (UKR) - No 65
21. Ekaterina Makarova (RUS) - No 66
22. Anastasia Rodionova (RUS) - No 67
23. Yung-Jan Chan (TPE) - No 68
24. Aiko Nakamura (JPN) - No 71
25. Camille Pin (FRA) - No 72
26. Marta Domachowska (POL) - No 73
27. Virginia Ruano Pascal (ESP) - No 74
28. Tamarine Tanasugarn (THA) - No 75
29. Petra Cetkovska (CZE) - No 77
30. Sorana Cirstea (ROU) - No 78
31. Marina Erakovic (NZL) - No 80
32. Sabine Lisicki (GER) - No 83
33. Petra Kvitova (CZE) - No 87
34. Nathalie Dechy (FRA) - No 88
35. Loana Raluca Olaru (ROU) - No 90
36. Tzipora Obziler (ISR) - No 93
37. Angelique Kerber (GER) - No 94
38. Julie Ditty (USA) - No 100
39. Alla Kudryavtseva (RUS) - No 102
40. Bethanie Mattek (USA) - No 106
41. Ayumi Morita (JPN) - No 109
42. Meilen Tu (USA) - No 110
43. Mara Santangelo (ITA) - No 115
44. Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez (ESP) - No 145