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WTA Championships change format, increase singles prize
Tuesday February 04, 2003
LOS ANGELES (AP) The season-ending WTA Championships will
change its format from a 16-player single-elimination tournament to
an eight-player round-robin with the singles winner earning $1
million.
The prize money is a $235,000 increase from the $765,000 Kim
Clijsters earned for upsetting Serena Williams in last year's
event.
The eight singles qualifiers will be divided into two groups of
four. The two players with the best record from each group will
advance to the single-elimination semifinal round, and the winners
will face each other in the final.
``Even if you lose a really tight, tough match, you'll be able
to stay in the tournament with this format,'' Jennifer Capriati
said. ``It should be better for the fans, too, with seeing some of
the top players in more matches.''
The $1 million prize also is more than the $900,000 earned by
the U.S. Open women's champion.
``It's a pretty awesome amount,'' Capriati said. ``It just shows
how strong women's tennis is and how it just keeps getting
better.''
The doubles draw will go from eight teams to four teams in a
single elimination format. The winners will share $250,000.
This year's tournament is set for Nov. 5-10.
(Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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