Baghdatis Li and Stosur signed for Sydney tournament

Written by: Global Chick on 21st October 2011

Baghdatis Li and Stosur signed for Sydney tournament

Samantha Stosur of Australia returns the ball against and Maria Kirilenko of Russia during their match in the Toray Pan Pacific Open Tennis tournament in Tokyo Japan, 27 September, 2011. EPA/TOMOYUKI KAYA |

The Apia International in Sydney have signed three world class players for next year’s event. The tournament is formerly known as the Sydney International.

Marcos Baghdatis is returning to Sydney in January. He was the men’s singles Champion in 2010. The former world number eight is currently ranked No. 47. In his recent trip to Asia he reached the final of Malaysian Open where he lost to Janko Tiparevic in the final. The Cypriot is very popular with the crowd in Australia and is very excited about coming back down under. “I won the event two years ago so I am just excited to go back there and feel the heat, get in some good matches and have some fun with the crowd,” Baghdatis said.

In the women’s singles Sam Stosur and Li Na have confirmed their participation. Chinese superstar Li Na will prepare for her Australian Open campaign in Sydney. She is also the defending Champion in Sydney. “I did so well there this year so if you win a tournament you are always looking forward to coming back the next year,” Li said. She also added, “I really love the Opera House. It is very famous in China. If I have time next year I will try to visit the Harbour Bridge and maybe climb it.”

US Open Champion and hometown favourite Samantha Stosur will come back and play in Australia for the first time since her Grand Slam win. “Sydney is one of the best cities in the world and I spend all my pre season training here at Sydney Olympic Park, so playing there is really special for me,” Stosur said.

Lleyton Hewitt who is the new Ambassador for the event will also be playing in the men’s singles. Tournament Director Craig Watson said, “We have a number of Top 20 players on our radar and we expect to be able to make some more exciting announcements very soon.”

The Apia International in Sydney will be played 8 January – 14 January at the Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre.