Seven more events were played in July and only seven remain on the schedule of Sony Ericsson WTA Tour International tournaments that determine who will qualify for the Commonwealth Bank Tournament of Champions. Parity continues to reign, as only two players have taken more than one of the 23 events played so far.
The week of July 6, María José Martínez Sánchez joined Victoria Azarenka as a multiple winner by capturing Bastad with an upset of Caroline Wozniacki in the final, the second Tour singles title of her career after having won her first at Bogotá in February. Also that week in Budapest, Agnes Szavay knocked off Patty Schnyder in the final to win her third career Tour singles title and first of 2009.
The week of July 13, Flavia Pennetta cruised through the draw in Palermo without losing a set for her seventh Tour singles title and first of the year. Meanwhile, in Prague, Sybille Bammer knocked off Francesca Schiavone in the final for her second career Tour singles title.
The week of July 20, World No.1 Dinara Safina got her hardcourt season going in style by winning Portoroz, her 12th career Tour singles title and third of 2009. Also, Andrea Petkovic was the shocking champion in Bad Gastein. Not only was it her first Tour singles title, but prior to that week, she had never even won consecutive matches on Tour.
Finally, the week of July 27, Vera Dushevina rolled to her first career Tour singles title in Istanbul without losing a set.
Martínez Sánchez and Azarenka, who captured Brisbane and Memphis early in the year, have won four of the 23 events played so far, meaning 19 players have been victorious at the 19 other tournaments. Time will tell if that trend will continue at the remaining events before Bali in Guangzhou, Quebec City, Seoul, Tashkent, Linz, Osaka and Luxembourg.
About the Commonwealth Bank Tournament of Champions
The Commonwealth Bank Tournament of Champions is set to debut at the Bali International Convention Centre (adjoining the Westin Resort) from November 4-8 in 2009. Featuring top Sony Ericsson WTA Tour players and next-generation champions competing in an innovative, 12-woman round robin singles format (four groups of three players), it will offer both $600,000 in prize money and an opportunity to earn a $1-million bonus.
