Final shot for our models and players with Tournament Director Keld and TPC Kuala Lumpur's CEO Steven Thielke after the awesome fashion show by JO DISAYA at the Welcome Party last night
TPC Kuala Lumpur is all Set to Host The ALYA WTA Malaysian Open 2017 this week from February 27 to March 5, 2017
The WTA Malaysian Open returns to Kuala Lumpur for the eighth consecutive year with new title sponsor ALYA
KUALA LUMPUR, –
The main draw of the country’s premier women’s tennis tournament, ALYA WTA Malaysian Open 2017, will serve up the action in Kuala Lumpur on 27 February 2017 for its eighth consecutive year.
Sanctioned by the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA), the ALYA WTA Malaysian Open 2017 will take place at TPC Kuala Lumpur amidst the green surroundings of ALYA Kuala Lumpur, the newly launched luxury leisure development by Sime Darby Property, formerly known as KLGCC Resort.
The high-end property brand that is also Malaysia’s most coveted address, is the title sponsor for this highly-anticipated sporting event for the first time since its inaugural staging in 2010. BMW was the previous title sponsor for the event.
Sime Darby Property Managing Director, Dato’ Ir. Jauhari Hamidi said, “We are tremendously excited to be hosting this event at TPC Kuala Lumpur and to associate the tournament with our premium development brand – ALYA Kuala Lumpur. It is a natural fit for ALYA Kuala Lumpur’s brand identity where we aim to become the premier destination for international sports and cultural events in the region.”
The event, which is supported by the Malaysian Convention and Exhibition Bureau (Myceb), will open its gates on 24 February 2017 for the qualifying draw and will last until 5 March 2017, when the winners of the Singles and Doubles tournaments will be decided.
Tournament Director and Executive Chairman of Carbon Sports Mr. Keld Kristiansen said, “This is such a great opportunity for tennis to flourish on so many levels. ALYA Kuala Lumpur is the perfect venue for such a prestigious international event and for the establishment of permanent tennis programmes. Sime Darby Property’s contribution will allow us to accomplish our mission of enhancing the level of tennis in Malaysia.”
Additionally, the Lawn Tennis Association of Malaysia (LTAM) will select the best Malaysian women players to be given a ‘Wild-Card’ entry into the tournament, providing a great and important opportunity for the players to compete with the best in the world.
With many years of successfully gathering thousands of spectators and having had the support of a great family of sponsors, the event in 2017 will see a substantial increase in broadcast distribution, reaching more than 100 countries all over the world and is expected to attract some of the world’s best star players thanks to its reputation built over the years. In past editions, the likes of Elina Svitolina, Roberta Vinci, Li Na, Agnieska Radwanska, Eugenie Bouchard, Dominique Cibulkova and Caroline Wozniacki have all participated in the tournament.
The ALYA WTA Malaysian Open 2017 will offer a very diverse line-up of programmes apart from great world class tennis, including business networking functions, inspirational forums for sports and business, entertainment programmes and activities at the venue, in addition to different tiers of food and beverage options.
“ALYA Kuala Lumpur is a truly unique environment surrounded by nature and open spaces while minutes away from the city centre. The ALYA WTA Malaysian Open 2017 embodies our efforts to promote an active and harmonious lifestyle at our premium development in the heart of the city,” Dato’ Jauhari added.
Svitolina comes to Malaysian Open on a high
It ain’t heavy: Elina Svitolina holding the trophy after beating Caroline Wozniacki in the final of the Dubai Tennis Championships on Saturday. — Reuters
KUALA LUMPUR: The ALYA WTA Malaysian Open tennis championship is going to have a world top 10 player in its field after all.
Earlier Elina Svitolina was the highest ranked player at No. 13 to confirm her participation in the US$226,500 (RM1mil) event at the TPC Kuala Lumpur.
But the Ukrainian will move up to No. 10 this week after beating former world No.1 Caroline Wozniacki for her biggest career win at the Dubai Tennis Championships on Saturday.
Fourth seed Peng Shuai of China will also be travelling to Kuala Lumpur in fine form, having reached the doubles final in Dubai with Czech Andrea Hlavackova.
Peng Shuai-Hlavackova eventually finish runner-up to Russians Elina Vesnina-Ekaterina Makarova.
Meanwhile, national No.1 Jawairiah Noordin failed in her fifth bid to become the first Malaysian to win a singles match at the Malaysian Open.
The 22-year-old went down 6-4, 6-1 in 78 minutes in the first round of the qualifying tournament to Tereza Martincova of the Czech Republic.
Jawairiah later announced that she “has had enough” after another disappointing bid.
“I failed to win a match on my fifth attempt. If I am offered a wildcard next year, I will hand it to an upcoming local player,” said Jawairiah.
Jaiwairiah can still salvage some pride as she will be playing in the doubles with Indonesian Jessy Rompies.
They combined to win an International Tennis Federation (ITF) title at the Hua Hin Open last year.
Jaiwairiah-Jessy will take on Belgian Elise Mertens and Ipek Soylu of Turkey in the opening round of the tournament proper.
Malaysian S. Theiviya will also play in the doubles after being handed a wildcard. She will combine with Indonesian Beatrice Gumulya and they face second seeds Shuko Aoyama of Japan and Yang Zhaoxuan of China.
Read more at http://www.thestar.com.my/sport/tennis/2017/02/27/svitolina-comes-to-malaysian-open-on-a-high/#EDcJD1o8KH44vS3i.99
TOURNAMENT INFO
TIER: International
PRIZE MONEY: $226,750
SURFACE: Hard
DIRECTOR: Keld Kristiansen
The main draw of the country's premier women's tennis tournament, will serve up the action in Kuala Lumpur on February 27th for its eighth consecutive year.
Won by Alisa Kleybanova at its inaugural staging in 2010, Kuala Lumpur has since been captured by Jelena Dokic, Hsieh Su-Wei, the second Taiwanese to secure a WTA title, Karolina Pliskova and Donna Vekic, who at 17 during the 2014 staging became the WTA's youngest titlist in almost seven years.
Malaysia's only global city, Kuala Lumpur is a financial, insurance, real estate, media and arts hub. It is the country's federal capital and most populous city and has hosted major sports, political and cultural events.
Read more
PREVIOUS WINNERS
Year
Draws
Singles
Doubles
2016
Elina Svitolina
Varatchaya Wongteanchai / Zhaoxuan Yang
2015
Caroline Wozniacki
Chen Liang / Yafan Wang
2014
Donna Vekic
Hao-Ching Chan / Timea Babos
2013
Karolina Pliskova
Kai-Chen Chang / Shuko Aoyama
2012
Su-Wei Hsieh
Chia-Jung Chuang / Kai-Chen Chang