The second annual Commonwealth Bank Tournament of Champions begins November 4 in Bali. The tournament features the six top players who have won international events during the year but have not qualified for the WTA Championships, plus two wild card players. This is a tournament whose reason for existence I question, and I am especially perturbed that it is played after the WTA Championships.
Last year, the tournament was played in round-robin format; this year it features a regular knock-out format. The six players who have qualified are: Li Na, Aravane Rezai, Yanina Wickmayer, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, Ana Ivanovic, and Alisa Kleybanova. The two wild cards are Daniela Hantuchova and Kimiko Date Krumm. That is certainly a very competitive field. The players will compete for $600,000 worth of prize money. Rezai is the defending champion.
It would at least make sense for this tournament to be held after the WTA Championships, as you said Diane. I can understand why they would hold it- I do think it's nice that the next tier of players get their chance to end the season at a prestigious tournament. I can't see it lasting in the longterm though.
ReplyDelete