Three-Time Grand Slam Winner Maria Sharapova (RUS) Enters 2010 Cellular South Cup
Cellular South Returns as Title Sponsor of Sony Ericsson WTA Tour Event
Three-time Grand Slam women's tennis star Maria Sharapova will be returning to the Cellular South Cup in 2010.
Memphis, TN (Oct. 20, 2009) – The Cellular South Cup announced today that the former top-ranked female player in the world, Maria Sharapova (RUS), has entered the field of players at the 2010 Cellular South Cup, the premier women's professional tennis tournament in the Mid-South.
The Cellular South Cup will be played February 14-20, 2010 at The Racquet Club of Memphis. Sharapova will play her first-round singles match during the Monday, February 15 evening session. Ticket packages and group tickets to the 2010 Cellular South Cup are on-sale now and are available by calling (901) 765-4401 or via email at ticketsales@racquetclubofmemphis.com. Individual session tickets will go on sale in January 2010. Additional information about the Cellular South Cup can be found on the tournament website at www.cellularsouthcup.com.
"On behalf of Cellular South, we're pleased to continue our affiliation with this world-class tennis tournament in 2010," said Jim Richmond, director of Corporate Communications for Cellular South. "The Cellular South Cup has been the preeminent women's professional tennis event in the Mid-South for many years. We look forward to continuing this tradition of excellence and are pleased to welcome three-time Grand Slam winner Maria Sharapova back to the Cellular South Cup next February."
Since turning professional in 2001, Sharapova has captured 20 singles titles including three Grand Slam titles (the 2008 Australian Open, the 2006 U.S. Open and 2004 Wimbledon). In addition, the 6'2", right-handed Sharapova has captured three doubles titles and has earned more than $13 million in prize money. In August of 2005, Sharapova became the #1-ranked female player in the world. From that time, she spent 238 consecutive weeks ranked in the top-10 of the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour singles rankings before falling out of the top-10 in January of 2009 due to a shoulder injury that prevented her from playing the 2009 Australian Open. Since regaining her health, Sharapova reached the final at Toronto this past August, her best finish of the year, where she lost to fellow Russian player Elena Dementieva.
Born in Nyagan, Russia but now residing in Bradenton, Florida, Sharapova, 22, is currently ranked #15 in the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour singles rankings and has compiled a record of 31-9 in 2009. 2010 will mark the second time that Sharapova has played at the Cellular South Cup having played both singles and doubles in 2004. That year, Sharapova reached the semifinals in singles falling to Vera Zvonareva (RUS). That same year she reached the doubles final with teammate Zvonareva but lost to the second-seeded team of Åsa Svensson and Meilen Tu. Her strong showing in Memphis helped propel Sharapova to the 2004 Wimbledon championship, the first major Grand Slam title of her career. Sharapova was a member of the 2008 Russian Federation Cup Team.
"It is my pleasure to welcome Maria Sharapova back to the Cellular South Cup," said Tournament Director Peter Lebedevs. "It is exciting to announce that a world-class player such as Maria has already committed to playing in our tournament next year. We will now look to add more elite players to the field to vie for the Cellular South Cup title with Ms. Sharapova."
About Cellular South
Cellular South is a privately-owned diversified mobile communications company passionately committed to helping customers get the most out of their wireless devices and services. The nation's largest privately owned wireless communications provider accomplishes this goal by providing the most reliable and advanced 3G nationwide wireless voice and data network, offering industry-leading family and unlimited flat rate voice, text and mobile web plans, and through its online and in-store Discover Centers, which give customers easy, simple and convenient tools, tips, advice and information on how to get the most out of their mobile phone. For more information, visit www.cellularsouth.com.
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About the Cellular South Cup
The Cellular South Cup began in Oklahoma City and relocated to The Racquet Club of Memphis in 2002. Since moving to Memphis, the tournament has been won by notable players Lisa Raymond (USA), Vera Zvonareva (RUS), Sofia Arvidsson (SWE), Venus Williams (USA), Lindsay Davenport (USA) and 2009 champion Victoria Azarenka (BLR).
The Cellular South Cup is owned and operated by Golden Set, LLC whose principal member is Silicon Valley Sports & Entertainment (SVS&E), and also includes a local investor group based in Memphis, TN. SVS&E is the parent company that manages business operations for the San Jose Sharks of the National Hockey League (NHL), HP Pavilion at San Jose, SAP Open (ATP - San Jose, CA), American Metal & Iron Fight Night at the Tank professional boxing and Strikeforce Mixed Martial Arts as well as other properties.
