Two of the best players of the past decade have entered the Southern California Open, the annual women's tennis tournament at the La Costa Resort and Spa.
Ana Ivanovic, a French Open champion who also has won tournaments at Indian Wells and Los Angeles, was one of those who signed up, according to organizers of the event, which begins play July 27. Ivanovic, currently ranked 12th on the WTA charts, recently went to the fourth round in Paris, where she won in 2008. Fellow Serb Jelena Jankovic, a former top-ranked player, also entered the La Costa tournament. She made the quarterfinals in the French Open before she was ousted, and is ranked 16th in the world. Flavia Pennetta of Italy also agreed to play in Carlsbad, organizers said.
"We are delighted that these three WTA stars will be playing in the Southern California Open,'' tournament Director Alastair Garland said. "Our tennis fans will certainly be looking forward to seeing Ana, Jelena and Flavia in action during the tournament.'' Victoria Azarenka, the second-ranked winner of this year's Australian Open, and 2012 Wimbledon finalist Agnieszka Radwanska, now fourth, were already entered in the field. Dominika Cibulkova, who won the tournament last year when it was known as the Mercury Insurance Open, is slated to defend her title. Cibulkova, from Slovakia, is ranked 18th on the WTA tour.
–City News Service
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