Hantuchova, Dementieva to appear at Hong Kong event

Daniela Hantuchova and Elena Dementieva have completed the star-star studded line-up at the year opening JB Group Classic in Hong Kong.

Ana Ivanovic, Maria Sharapova, Anna Chakvetadze and Venus Williams had already been confirmed for the annual exhibition event at Hong Kong’s Victoria Park at the start of January, and with the addition of world number nine Hantuchova and number 11 Dementieva, the event now boasts six of the game’s top 11 players.

Former junior Wimbledon champion Caroline Wozniacki and China’s Peng Shuai make up the eight-player line-up for the tournament which takes place from January 2-5.

French Open finalist and world number four Ivanovic will face Kremlin Cup champion Dementieva in the first round, while world number 45 Peng will take on Wimbledon champion Williams, world number three Chakvetadze will face Hantuchova and world number five Sharapova will take on world number 63 Wozniacki.

“Other than the four grand slams around the world, no other WTA event can boast a field which includes six of the worlds top 11 in a tournament with just eight players,” said Ian Wade, the president of the Hong Kong Tennis Patrons Association.

Rising Portuguese star Michelle Larcher de Brito, who is just 14 years old, has been named as the tennis ambassador and will play in the doubles competition alongside Dementieva and also act as an injury replacement in the singles competition if needed.

De Brito is the seventh youngest player ever to win a WTA Tour main singles draw match.