WTA Tour - Ivanovic and A-Rod to feature in Beijing

Eurosport - Wed, 23 Apr 17:29:00 2008

World number two Ana Ivanovic of Serbia and American Andy Roddick will feature in the first joint men's and women's China Open in Beijing.

TENNIS Indian Wells trophy Ana Ivanovic - 0

World number six Roddick, who will skip the Olympics in China in August, will also be joined by fifth-ranked Spaniard David Ferrer for the September 20-28 tournament at the Beijing Tennis Centre.

"I will have a break after US Open to adjust myself for a couple of days, and I might be hungry for China Open at that time," Ivanovic said.

Women's world number five Jelena Jankovic, beaten to the title last year by Agnes Szavay despite leading 7-6 5-1 in the final, will make a third appearance at the tournament.

As well as Hungarian Szavay, men's champion Fernando Gonzalez of Chile will return to defend his crown.

From 2009, the China Open will be one of the new 'crown jewel' events on the women's tour and an ATP 500 tournament for the men as part of Beijing's plans to secure a sporting legacy from the Games.

Reuters