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The world's best
names in women's tennis will pay a visit to Amelia Island
this April as the Bausch & Lomb Championships returns
to Amelia Island Plantation for the 19th consecutive
year.
Players will compete for a total purse of $450,000 in
this clay-court tournament known for attracting many of
the world's top-ranked players. Past champions include
Martina Navratilova, Steffi Graf, Aranxta Sanchez Vicario
and Gabriela Sabatini. The initial player field for 1998
looks to continue the tradition.
Leading the way is the defending champion Lindsay
Davenport, who reached a career high ranking of #2 last
year. Joining Davenport in April will be two players
making their first appearances at Amelia Island, former
#1 Monica Seles and rising star Anna Kournikova. Also
scheduled to appear are past Bausch & Lomb champions
Conchita Martinez (1995) and Irina Spirlea (1996), along
with top-ten players Amanda Coetzer, Mary Pierce and Mary
Joe Fernandez.
The Bausch & Lomb Championships are a perennial
favorite for players and fans alike due to its relaxed
atmosphere and beautiful surroundings.
Capital Sports will once again serve as the tournament
promoter. This year, Capital Sports will launch its
"Commitment to Community" campaign. The program
will generate revenue to selected charities and causes in
the Jacksonville and Fernandina Beach areas, including
the Junior League of Jacksonville, Jacksonville Pilot
Club, Amelia Island Montessori School and the Fernandina
Beach YMCA. Since 1980, the event has contributed roughly
$500,000 to the Jacksonville community.
For more information, including ticket availability,
please call the tournament office at (904) 277-5960.
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