Bevy of Talent Confirmed for Wismilak Tournament

(5/27/2006)

Wismilak International Bali is full steam ahead for September 10-17, 2006 for center court action at the Grand Hyatt Bali Resort. Claiming its rightful place as a favourite stop on the professional women's tennis tour, Lindsay Davenport who won the 2005 Bali singles title and Svetlana Kuznetsova the 2004 singles champ are now confirmed to be on hand in Bali in September.

Here's just some of the stars to look for at Wismilak International Bali 2006:

• Lindsay Davenport - Lindsay made her first ever trip to Bali last year and walked away with the 49th title of her illustrious career. With a Wimbledon, US Open and Australian Open Grand Slam singles title to her credit as well as an Olympic gold medal, Lindsay's confirmed to return to Bali this year to defend her title. Lindsay so enjoyed her Bali visit last year that she immediately made the premier women's tennis event of South East Asia a "must do" for 2006.

• Francesca Schiavone - Francesca no doubt has a special affection for Bali as her Bali appearance mark the beginning of the most successful run of her career. After returning to Europe, she managed to make the finals in Moscow and Hasselt before traveling on to the finals in Sydney and Amelia Island in 2006, and then beating world number-one Amelie Mauresmo in the Fed Cup. Schiavone is looking forward to the Bali tournament, saying she had as much fun on as off the courts.

• Svetlana Kuznetsova - another player in top form after she suffered a disappointing 2005 season affected by a back injury. That prevented the popular Russian returning to Bali last year to defend her title, but she is confirmed and eagerly anticipating her return to Bali this September.

• Patty Schnyder - Swiss star Patty Schnyder is looking forward to making another attempt for her 11th career title, despite having to retire unwell during her 2005 semi-final against Francesca Schiavone. Patty has also done well since she was in Bali, reaching the finals of Zurich and Linz at the end of last year, and finishing as runner-up in Charleston last month after beating Justine Henin-Hardenne.

• Daniela Hantuchova - a champion as well as one of the most popular and glamorous players on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour and winner of the prestigious Indian Wells event in 2002 is schedule back to Bali in 2006; last year she reached the Los Angeles final and earlier this year she was a semi-finalist in Auckland.

• Ana Ivanovic -Another leader in the "glamour stakes" is rising star Ana Ivanovic. She first caught everyone's attention by taking Venus Williams to two tie breaks in only her third career tournament in 2004. Her breakthrough came in Canberra at the beginning of 2005 when she qualified and won her first career title. Since then she has gone on to defeat world number three Amelie Mauresmo on Center Court at the French Open and again in Sydney earlier this year, handing defeats to Svetlana Kuznetsova and Patty Schnyder, as well.

Join Us in Bali this September

Other rising stars headed for Bali include Anna-Lena Groenefeld. Two other Russians will make their debut in Bali this year: Vera Zvonareva has been ranked in the top 10 world wide and won the Auckland tournament in January which included a mixed doubles Grand Slam title at Wimbledon with partner Mahesh Bhupathi, also expected to join Vera in Bali.