Sania to lead star cast at Pattaya Open

Bangkok, Jan 17 (UNI) Tennis ace Sania Mirza will be star attraction at the 170,000 dollar WTA Pattaya Open to be played from February 3 to 11, the organisers said today.

Hugely popular Sania, who cruised into the Australian Open round two yesterday, will be one of favourites given her sizzling form this year. After a superb display at the Hopman Cup, The world number 53 reached the semifinal stage at the Hobart International.

Among others to comfirm participation are Frenchwoman Marion Bartoli and Russian beauty Maria Kirilenko.

Bartoli last year broke into the world's top 20 and finished the year at No 18 after winning 3 WTA tour titles at Auckland, Tokyo and Quebec City.

Kirilenko's best result was winning the Beijing title in 2005, where she beat Sharapova in the semi-final.

UNI