WATSON'S WATER CHALLENGE LADIES TENNIS CUP

January 2001, Hong Kong

    

My friends Ivan and Edward

    

Opening ceremony:

     

Anna Kournikova

   

   

Jelena Dokic, Jefifer Capriati, Elena Dementieva, Olga Barabanschikova, Yi-jing qian

   

   

WATSON'S WATER CHALLENGE LADIES TENNIS CUP

On January 3rd 2001 the Watson's Water Challenge will again explode into action on the centre court of Victoria Park in Hong Kong.

The Tennis Patrons' Association traditionally invite eight world-class lady professionals to play in the Watson's Water Challenge, which is now entering it's third year. The tournament has become one of the most popular sporting occasions on the Hong Kong calendar, and over this time some of the biggest names in women's tennis have graced the center court.

The organizers are delighted to announce the participation of Anna Kournikova, the most photographed player in the world, who is making her second appearance. She is as gracious on the court as she is off and everyone is eagerly awaiting her return.

Jennifer Capriati also returns to defend her crown, which she won in a magnificent 3 set duel against Martina Hingis in the Watson's Water Millennium Cup.

Australia's No.1 lady, Jelena Dokic, who shocked the tennis world by beating Martina Hingis in the 1999 Wimbledon Championships makes her debut appearance. Since that unforgettable day she has enjoyed continued success and will undoubtedly be one of the stars of the event.

With the retirement of Stefi Graff, Anke Huber is now Germany's No. 1 player, and with Grand Slam finals and semi-finals success she will not be a pushover!

In keeping with tradition the Watson's Water Challenge boasts several new faces that are making an impression on the world stage. The fastest rising star must surely be Elena Dementieva who has already recorded notable wins against Venus Williams and Lindsay Davenport. With her silver medal in the Sydney Olympic Games and her demonstration of power in the recent Chase Championships, 2001 could be her year. Belarus' own rising star is glamour girl Olga Barabanschikova who is shining through the ranks and proving a force to be reckoned with. Those who are coming for the doubles will not be disappointed as in this year's line-up we have former doubles No.1 Lisa Raymond. Wrapping up the eight strong field is the No.1 from China, Yi-Jing-Qian who will have plenty of support in Hong Kong especially since reaching the third round of the 2000 Australian Open.

 

PART II - FORMAT

SINGLES EVENT - EIGHT PLAYERS

SEMI-FINALS

FINAL

 

ANNA KOURNIKOVA #1 (Russia)

 

 

 

ANNA KOURNIKOVA
6:4 6:1

 

 

Wednesday Evening

 

 

OLGA BARABANSCHIKOVA (Belarus)

 

 

 

ANNA KOURNIKOVA

 

 

Friday Evening

 

YI JING-QIAN (China)

 

 

JENNIFER CAPRIATI
6:1 6:2

 

WINNER

Wednesday Evening

 

 

JENNIFER CAPRIATI #4 (USA)

 

 

 

Saturday afternoon
2:30PM

JELENA DOKIC

 

 

JELENA DOKIC (Australia)

 

JELENA DOKIC
3:6 4:1
(Chanda Rubin retired)

 

 

Thursday Evening

 

 

CHANDA RUBIN #3 (USA)

 

 

 

JELENA DOKIC

 

 

Friday Evening

 

LISA RAYMOND (USA)

 

 

ELENA DEMENTIEVA
6:2 6:4

 

WINNER

Thursday Evening

 

 

ELENA DEMENTIEVA #2 (Russia)

2:30PM

 

 

 

 

DOUBLES EVENT - FOUR PAIRS

SEMI-FINALS

FINAL

FINAL

KOURNIKOVA #1 (Russia) / RAYMOND (USA)

 

 

KOURNIKOVA / RAYMOND
8:6

 

Thursday Evening

 

RUBIN (USA) / YI JING-QIAN (China)

 

 

DOKIC (Australia) / BARABANSCHIKOVA (Belarus) 

 

Saturday afternoon to follow singles after break

DOKIC (Australia) / BARABANSCHIKOVA (Belarus)

 

DOKIC (Australia) / BARABANSCHIKOVA (Belarus) 

 

Friday Evening

 

DEMENTIEVA #2 (Russia) / CAPRIATI (USA)

 

 

 

Note:

The Doubles Semi-Finals shall be one 8 game Pro-Set.
The Doubles Final shall be the best of 3 Tie-Break Sets.

 

PART III - CONDITIONS OF PLAY

 

1.

In the Singles Event, players will be seeded according to their WTA rankings as at the end of the US Open 2000.

2.

The pairings for the Doubles Event shall be determined by the Organiser.

3.

All Singles matches shall be played to the best of three tie-break sets

4.

The Doubles Semi-Finals shall consist of one 8 game pro-set, and will be played after the 1st Singles match on the Thursday and Friday respectively, following a half hour break.

The Doubles Final shall be played to the best of three tie-break sets, and will take place after the Singles Final following a half hour break

5.

In the event of inclement weather the matches will be rescheduled by the Chief of Umpires and, if necessary, the Finals held over to Sunday, 7th January, 2001. If inclement weather continues and play is not possible, the Finals will be abandoned.

6.

The formats of both Events may be varied and are subject to any rules as may be made by the HKTPA from time to time governing the conduct of the Tournament.

                 

 

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