World-class tennis
returns to Amelia Island in April as the top women
players in the world compete at the Bausch & Lomb Championships. This
year's event will be held the week of April 3-9 at Amelia Island
Plantation.
The tournament is one of the oldest stops on the WTA Tour, and
the
list of past champions is quite impressive: Martina Navratilova, Chris Evert, Steffi Graf,
Gabriela Sabatini, Aranxta Sanchez Vicario, and Monica Seles, just to name a few.
Defending Champion Lindsay Davenport also
won the Bausch & Lomb in 1997 and 2004.
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Currently ranked No. 3 in the world,
defending champion, Lindsay
Davenport will lead the field along with former Bausch & Lomb
champion and No. 6 in the world, Mary Pierce, and 2005 semifinalist,
Nadia Petrova, currently ranked No. 7 in the world.
"It is great to have Lindsay return for this year's
tournament. Having the defending champion, not to mention one of the greatest names in
women's tennis, back at Amelia Island is a true pleasure," said John Arrix,
Tournament Director. "Both Pierce and Petrova are coming off solid seasons and
together will give fans the opportunity to witness competitive tennis at its best."
Lindsay Davenport claims three Bausch & Lomb Championships
titles;
1997, 2004 and 2005. She joins the ranks of four elite former champions who also claim
three singles crowns; Martina Navratilova (1980, 1984, 1988), Chris Evert-Lloyd (1981,
1982, 1983), Steffi Graf (1986, 1987, 1990) and Gabriela Sabatini (1989, 1991, 1992).
1998 Bausch & Lomb Champion Mary Pierce
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In 2005, Mary Pierce achieved an impressive
comeback on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour, where she reached the top 5 ranks; her highest
ranking since her 2000 career-high ranking of No. 3. Claiming 18 career singles titles and
two Grand Slam titles, Pierce was a runner-up at both Roland Garros and the U.S. Open last
year.
In her six Bausch & Lomb Championships appearances, Nadia
Petrova
placed in three semifinal rounds (2001, 2004, 2005) with two of her losses to eventual
champion Lindsay Davenport. In 2005, Petrova took charge of her career, yielding her first
career Tour singles title at Linz. She also reached the 2005 finals at Berlin and Bangkok
and four semifinal berths including Roland Garros.
2005 finalist Silvia Farina Elia
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The Bausch & Lomb Championships is a
favorite stop on the tour for
many players and fans alike. The beautiful setting at Racquet Park and the relaxed
atmosphere help to create a very fan-friendly tournament. In addition to watching some of
the best tennis played anywhere in the world, fans at the Bausch & Lomb Championships
can experience interactive games, test the speed of their serve, or get their favorite
player's autograph.
In 2006, the Bausch & Lomb Championships will continue its
"Commitment to Community" campaign. This program generates revenue in
support of selected charities and causes in the Jacksonville and Fernandina areas
including Amelia Island Montessori School and the Pilot Clubs of Jacksonville and Nassau
County.
2005 semifinalist Nadia Petrova
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Tickets for the 2006 Bausch & Lomb
Championships are now available.
For daily ticket, box seat and package information call (800)
486-8366 or visit the tournament web site at www.blchamps.com.
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