- Mattek-Sands/Safarova qualify for WTA Finals for the first time
- Pairing is the second of eight doubles teams to qualify, joining Martina Hingis/Sania Mirza and singles qualifier Serena Williams in Singapore
ST PETERSBURG, FL, USA – The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) announced today that two-time Grand Slam doubles champions Bethanie Mattek-Sands and Lucie Safarova have qualified for this year’s BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore presented by SC Global. They are the second doubles team to qualify for the year-end event set to be staged at the Singapore Sports Hub October 23 through November 1.
The collaboration between American Mattek-Sands and Czech Republic Safarova began this year at the Australian Open, where they clinched their first title together. Following that initial success, the duo went on to win their second consecutive Grand Slam title at Roland Garros and also advanced to the semifinals at Wimbledon. They additionally won the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart and Rogers Cup in Toronto, reached the semifinals of Mutua Madrid Open and the quarterfinals of Internazionali BL d’Italia in Rome.
Posting a 15-match Grand Slam win streak this year, Mattek-Sands and Safarova aim to continue this incredible success at their first appearance at the WTA Finals. The two are the second team to qualify and have previously defeated the first ranked team to qualify, Sania Mirza and Martina Hingis.
“It has been an astonishing season for Bethanie and Lucie, who have worked so well together and have achieved so much in such a short period of time,” said Stacey Allaster, WTA Chairman and CEO. “This year’s BNP Paribas WTA Finals in Singapore may be one of the most competitive, already having two outstanding teams qualified.”
Both players have had their own success outside of their partnership within doubles and singles. The 30-year old Mattek-Sands holds 16 WTA doubles titles, five of which were achieved this year and four with Safarova. Additionally, the 28-year old Safarova, also in contention to qualify for WTA Finals in singles, holds 13 total WTA titles, six in singles seven in doubles. Safarova reached this year’s singles and doubles final at Roland Garros, winning the doubles title with Mattek-Sands and falling in singles to World No. 1 Serena Williams.
Mattek-Sands stated, “It’s our first time in Singapore and we’re looking forward to the incredible fans and the competition. It’s certainly going to be a challenge at the end of the year since all the best teams will be there.” Safarova added, “It is such a great honor to qualify for the BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore and it shows what a great year we’ve had and what a great team we are.”
The 2015 WTA Finals features the top 8 doubles teams competing for the WTA Finals Martina Navratilova Trophy, while the top 8 singles players compete for one of the most prestigious trophies in women’s tennis, the Billie Jean King Trophy. With a record $7 million in prize money on the line, the round-robin singles and doubles competitions will be the highlight of the 10-day tennis festival that will also include the WTA Legends Classic, WTA Rising Star Invitational and a fan festival.
The current Road to Singapore Singles Leaderboard as follows (as of August 17, 2015):
“It has been an astonishing season for Bethanie and Lucie, who have worked so well together and have achieved so much in such a short period of time,” said Stacey Allaster, WTA Chairman and CEO. “This year’s BNP Paribas WTA Finals in Singapore may be one of the most competitive, already having two outstanding teams qualified.”
Both players have had their own success outside of their partnership within doubles and singles. The 30-year old Mattek-Sands holds 16 WTA doubles titles, five of which were achieved this year and four with Safarova. Additionally, the 28-year old Safarova, also in contention to qualify for WTA Finals in singles, holds 13 total WTA titles, six in singles seven in doubles. Safarova reached this year’s singles and doubles final at Roland Garros, winning the doubles title with Mattek-Sands and falling in singles to World No. 1 Serena Williams.
Mattek-Sands stated, “It’s our first time in Singapore and we’re looking forward to the incredible fans and the competition. It’s certainly going to be a challenge at the end of the year since all the best teams will be there.” Safarova added, “It is such a great honor to qualify for the BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore and it shows what a great year we’ve had and what a great team we are.”
The 2015 WTA Finals features the top 8 doubles teams competing for the WTA Finals Martina Navratilova Trophy, while the top 8 singles players compete for one of the most prestigious trophies in women’s tennis, the Billie Jean King Trophy. With a record $7 million in prize money on the line, the round-robin singles and doubles competitions will be the highlight of the 10-day tennis festival that will also include the WTA Legends Classic, WTA Rising Star Invitational and a fan festival.
The current Road to Singapore Singles Leaderboard as follows (as of August 17, 2015):
The leaderboard is updated each Monday (every two weeks during Grand Slam events) and can be found at www.wtafinals.com.
Last year, new milestones were set at the WTA Finals with record highs for attendance, TV viewing and online audiences as fans from around the world traveled to Singapore and tuned in to the exciting 10-day sport entertainment extravaganza showcasing the world’s best female athletes. The event attracted 129,000 spectators, including 93,000 fans who attended matches at the Singapore Sports Hub, throughout the10 days of on- and off-court sport and entertainment in the stadium, as well as in the fan festival which offered free access to the public.
In 2015, fans and spectators of the WTA Finals can expect the WTA to amplify engagement efforts by building a deeper connection with the fan base, delivering richer, more compelling digital content and creating money can’t buy experiences all in an effort to further its vision to become the most fan-friendly sport entertainment experience on earth.
Tickets for the general public start at S$16.90 and can be purchased through Sports Hub Tix www.sportshub.com.sg/WTAFinals, the official ticketing partner of the 2015 BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore presented by SC Global. Log on to the WTA Finals website www.WTAFinals.com for more information and follow on Twitter (@WTAFinalsSG) and Facebook (facebook.com/WTAFinalsSG).
Last year, new milestones were set at the WTA Finals with record highs for attendance, TV viewing and online audiences as fans from around the world traveled to Singapore and tuned in to the exciting 10-day sport entertainment extravaganza showcasing the world’s best female athletes. The event attracted 129,000 spectators, including 93,000 fans who attended matches at the Singapore Sports Hub, throughout the10 days of on- and off-court sport and entertainment in the stadium, as well as in the fan festival which offered free access to the public.
In 2015, fans and spectators of the WTA Finals can expect the WTA to amplify engagement efforts by building a deeper connection with the fan base, delivering richer, more compelling digital content and creating money can’t buy experiences all in an effort to further its vision to become the most fan-friendly sport entertainment experience on earth.
Tickets for the general public start at S$16.90 and can be purchased through Sports Hub Tix www.sportshub.com.sg/WTAFinals, the official ticketing partner of the 2015 BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore presented by SC Global. Log on to the WTA Finals website www.WTAFinals.com for more information and follow on Twitter (@WTAFinalsSG) and Facebook (facebook.com/WTAFinalsSG).
By: Editor
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