JP/7/WISMI
JP/7/WISMI
Vicario-Sanchez to play
in 2001 Bali Wismilak
JAKARTA (JP): Former world women's singles number one tennis
player Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario of Spain will head the draw at the
Wismilak International 2001 Sanex WTA Tour to be held from Sept.
22 to Sept. 30 in Bali.
"We have just received confirmation on Monday from Sanchez-
Vicario, who said she would take part in the tournament using
gold player facilities," Wismilak promotion manager Stefanus
Handoyo Kusumo told Antara in Surabaya on Wednesday.
"The national tennis community as well as people from Bali can
be proud of her presence in the tournament because they can
directly watch and enjoy her world-class performance."
Stefanus was also sure that despite her waning career, the
world 19th ranked Sanchez-Vicario had the skills and abilities
left to display before the tennis enthusiasts.
"Her level of persistence and mobility remains excellent, not
to mention her stylish play on court. Tennis enthusiasts will be
able to see her matured forehand heavy spin, backhand drive and
heavy spin, which have long been her lethal weapons," he said.
During her illustrious career, Sanchez-Vicario won the French
Open title three times in 1989, 1994 and 1998. She also captured
another major title at the U.S. Open in 1994. The Spaniard
briefly topped the world rankings in 1995.
She collected her grand slam titles at the expense of Steffi
Graf of Germany, Mary Pierce of France, Martina Hingis of
Switzerland and Monica Seles of the United States.
Led by Sanchez-Vicario, Spain won the Federation Cup, the
women's tennis team championship, for a record five consecutive
times between 1990 and 1995.
Born in Barcelona on Dec. 18, 1971, Vicario-Sanchez is known
for her persistence and excellent footwork to support her
energetic movement on the court.
Vicario-Sanchez started her ascension in tennis stardom at the
age of 16 when she reached the Spanish Open semifinals in 1987
and took her first Grand Slam title at the 1987 French Open,
defeating the then Queen of Tennis, Steffi Graf. (nvn)