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Paul Ryding

Organisers delivered on their promise of a bigger and better line-up as they unveiled a quartet of big names on Monday for the 2015 Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open in October.
Two-time grand slam winner Victoria Azarenka and rising Spanish star Garbine Muguruza will be joined by Canadian pin-up Eugenie Bouchard and France’s Alize Cornet at the US$250,000 event at Victoria Park from October 12-18.
Seven-time grand slam champion Venus Williams, defending champion Sabine Lisicki, of Germany, and France’s Caroline Garcia confirmed their participation earlier last month.

Azarenka, 26, is no stranger to Hong Kong, having finished runner-up with Team Europe in the 2010 Hong Kong Tennis Classic.
The Belarussian, now ranked 20th in the world, is also a two-time US Open finalist, losing to Serena Williams in 2012 and 2013.
READ MORE: Sabine Lisicki to defend her Hong Kong Open tennis title
Muguruza, 21, went on a hot streak at Wimbledon this year, reaching the final where she ran into unstoppable world number one Serena Williams.
Canadian starlet Bouchard was at the centre of a row last year between outspoken Hong Kong Tennis Association president Herbert Chow Siu-lung and the Women’s Tennis Association over her “no-show” at the tournament.

A personal spat resulted in Chow being fined US$10,000 by the WTA for “violating its code of conduct”. The SCMP understands the fine has been paid.
The Hong Kong Tennis Association said the issue was “inconsequential” and Bouchard was “very much looking forward to playing in Hong Kong and engaging with the fans and community”.
The HKTA said it would not commnet on the fine as it was “issued on a personal basis and not against the HKTA nor HKTO”.
Bouchard, in the meantime, is looking to get her career back on track after slipping to number 25 in the rankings after a string of first-round losses.
Tournament director Chris Lai said moving the tournament back towards the climax of the season had helped attract the big names.
“The event this year is the second-last week before the WTA Finals, which means we are more likely to secure a competitive field among the top players,” said Lai. “Those players who have not qualified for the year-end event may play this event in order to qualify for it.”
Lai also said Hong Kong’s rainy season was a factor in the scheduling.
“This date is much more ideal in terms of the weather,” said Lai. “It will be less likely to be interrupted by rain or typhoon, which has always been a factor in Hong Kong.”
Additional reporting by Paul Ryding


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Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open 2015

Victoria Azarenka and Eugenie Bouchard among four new big names heading to Hong Kong Open

Victoria Azarenka of Belarus will be at the Hong Kong Open in October. Photo: AP

Canada's Eugenie Bouchard is expected to participate this year. Photo: AFP

Sabine Lisicki to defend her Hong Kong Open tennis title

Germany's Sabine Lisicki will return to the Hong Kong Open in October. Photos: AFP

Caroline Garcia of France will also be Hong Kong-bound as a confirmed entrant. 

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Venus Williams and China's Li Na have fun during the American's trip to Hong Kong in 2011. Photo: SCMP Pictures

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Sabine Lisicki hits a return to Czech Republic's Karolina Pliskova in the inaugural Hong Kong Open last September.  The German claimed her first WTA singles title in more than three years.


Sabine Lisicki kisses the trophy after her straight-sets victory. Photos: AFP

Sport

Tennis

Wimbledon runner-up Garbine Muguruza will also feature at Victoria Park


Two-time grand slam winner Victoria Azarenka and rising Spanish star Garbine Muguruza were among a quartet of big names announced on Monday for the 2015 Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open in October.
