Sony Ericsson WTA Tour superstars Maria Sharapova and defending champion and world No. 1 player Dinara Safina are among the first to announce their participation in Southern California’s most prestigious summer tennis tradition, the 2009 LA Women’s Tennis Championships presented by Herbalife (formerly know as the East West Bank Classic) on the hard courts of The Home Depot Center on the campus of California State University, Dominguez Hills in Carson August 3-9, 2009.

    Joining Sharapova and Safina in the 56-player field will be current No. 7 Svetlana Kuznetsova,  No. 8 Ana Ivanovic, No. 12 Agnieszka Radwanska and No. 36 Daniela Hantuchova.  Ivanovic and Hantuchova have had successful runs in recent editions of the tournament, played for the 39th consecutive year in southern California, with Ivanovic winning the title in 2007 and Hantuchova being runner up in 2005.

    “The 2009 LA Women’s Tennis Championships presented by Herbalife will once again, showcase a world-class field of champions featuring the world’s most popular players,” said Scott Hanley, Vice President, AEG Sports, operators of the premier event.  “Beginning with our defending champion and the WTA’s new number one player in the world Dinara Safina and the extremely popular and talented Maria Sharapova, we have already received commitments from four of the world’s top twelve players.   Southern California tennis fans can once again look forward to seeing the best players in the world competing for not only this prestigious tournament’s championship, but important Olympus US Open Series points as well.”

    “As part of the ‘Ultimate Tennis Celebration,’ our fans will also be treated to a week of exciting tennis promotions, offers and special events including our now traditional spectacular fireworks display on Saturday night, and popular tennis-related giveaways for children and adults,” Hanley added.