Teenage sensation Agnes Szavay for Bangalore Open

Promising youngster Agnes Szavay of Hungary will be among the strong contenders at the US Dollar 600,000 WTA Tier II Bangalore Open 2008 to be held here from March 3 to 9.

Tournament Director Sundar Raju who is also Secretary of Karnataka State Lawn Tennis Association(KSLTA) said the Hungerian lass, ranked no 18 in the world, has confirmed her participation in the biggest tennis event in South and South East Asia.

The mixed doubles partner of Indian ace Leander Paes in the Australian Open 2008, Szavay 's participation would further boost the line up which would be spearheaded by the Williams sisters Serena and Venus. The 19 year-old is one of the brightest young talents on the WTA Tour. She is currently Hungary's highest ranked player. She won her first WTA title at Palermo in July, 2007 and followed it up with a win at the China Open in Beijing. She made it to the quarter finals at the US Open 2007. Szavay achieved her career high rank of 18 today. ''I am so excited to be coming to play in India. People who have been to India paint such a beautiful picture of the country. It has always been a dream of mine to travel to India. I look forward getting to Bangalore Open'', said Szavay in a message to Indian Tennis fans. Szavay will have the opportunity to test herself against the best, with Serena, Venus, Schnyder heading the entries at the US $ 600,000 prize money event and would be a strong contender for her third WTA Tour title.

''Agnes Szavay is more familiar to Indians as she was the Mixed Doubles Partner for Leander Paes at the Australian Open 2008. But at 19 she has already drawn admiration from all quarters of the game and is one of the fastest movers in Womens Tennis.'' said Mr. Sunder Raju.

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