Hingis will be the top draw

Come September and this eastern metropolis will welcome with open arms one of the greatest women8217;s champions in the Open Era - former World No. 1 Martina Hingis.

Come September and this eastern metropolis will welcome with open arms one of the greatest women8217;s champions in the Open Era 8211; former World No. 1 Martina Hingis. She has confirmed her participation for this year8217;s WTA Tier III Sunfeast Open.

If it was Anastasia Myskina who enthralled the city8217;s tennis enthusiasts at the inaugural edition of the tournament last year, the week starting September 18 promises to be edge-of-the-seat stuff with the Swiss Miss expected to keep the crowd hooked with her powerful ground strokes and attacking net play. If Hingis emerges champion, she8217;ll take home more than what the Russian did. As per WTA rules, the prize money has been increased by since last year to a cool 175,000.

The five-time Grand Slam champion has climbed to 13th place in the WTA rankings since staging a comeback at this year8217;s Australian Open after an ankle injury sidelined her for three years.

A press release quoted her as saying: 8220;I have heard a lot about Indian tradition and the excitement the WTA is creating in the country. I am very excited to come and play in front of the passionate tennis fans at Kolkata. Can8217;t wait for September!8221;

Mahesh Bhupathi, who partnered Hingis to lift the mixed doubles crown at Melbourne this January, told reporters: 8220;She8217;s staged a remarkable comeback. I think she8217;ll break into the top-10 in the world by the time the Sunfeast Open comes around. It was a great experience playing alongside her. She8217;s a great doubles player.8221;

Bhupathi also didn8217;t wish to read much into Sania Mirza8217;s first round losses at the last two Grand Slams this year. 8220;She had a tough draw at both events. She lost to Myskina at the French and Elena Dementieva at Wimbledon, which are by no means bad losses. I feel in three years8217; time, she8217;ll break into the top-10 in the world. She will peak by the time she turns 22.8221;

Meanwhile, the Globosport MD also informed reporters that World No 7 Croatian Mario Ancic will be the biggest draw at the Mumbai ATP, which begins on September 25.