Anticipation grows as both Caroline Wozniacki and Elena Dementieva secure places in the upcoming Sony Ericsson Championships, Doha 2009

As the qualification process for the Sony Ericsson Championships, Doha reaches the mid-way point; Caroline Wozniacki and Elena Dementieva are announced as the next players to qualify for the finale tournament. 

London – September 16, 2009 – Excitement and momentum intensified today around the Sony Ericsson Championships taking place in Doha, Qatar from October 27 – November 1, 2009 with the next two players to qualify being announced.  Caroline Wozniacki and Elena Dementieva join World No. 1 Dinara Safina, and World No. 2 Serena Williams with a further four qualifying players to be announced over the coming weeks.  They will also be joined by the top four doubles players, with Black and Huber being the first qualifying team to be announced.  Fierce competition remains for the remaining singles and doubles spots with the final line-up being eagerly anticipated. 

The Championships will again take place at the Khalifa International Tennis Complex, Doha, Qatar where the qualifying players will fight it out for the coveted Sony Ericsson Championships title and a share of the record prize money at $4.45 million USD. 

“We are very excited to see Caroline and Elena qualify for Sony Ericsson Championships,” said Aldo Liguori, Corporate Vice President and Head of Global Communications & PR at Sony Ericsson. “Caroline is one of the brightest new stars on Tour with an exciting future and Elena is a terrific ambassador for women’s tennis both on and off the court.”

 “2009 has been a dream season for me, highlighted by reaching the US Open final – definitely one of the best moments in my tennis career so far,” said Caroline Wozniacki.  “I always believed that I could be one of the best players in the world, I just didn’t think that it would happen so soon. I am very excited about qualifying for the Sony Ericsson Championships and can’t wait to get to Doha and have an opportunity to play on one of the biggest stages in women’s tennis.”

“Qualifying for the Sony Ericsson Championships is a great accomplishment for me as it’s a goal I set for myself at the beginning of every season,” said Elena Dementieva.  “Heading to the Sony Ericsson Championships for the ninth time in my career is thrilling and I look forward to competing in what is always a great event.”

Sony Ericsson brings entertainment, innovation and glamour to women’s tennis, the Sony Ericsson Championships, Doha 2009 will be no exception and will build on the huge success of 2008’s ‘Desert Island Tennis’ stunt that won the 2009 Hollis sponsorship award for Best Use of Public Relations in a Sponsorship Campaign.  By taking tennis beyond the boundaries of the court, Sony Ericsson inspires new audiences to connect with the sport and continues to raise the profile of women’s tennis across the world.  By fusing style and technology, Sony Ericsson creates excitement and energy which transforms the experience for consumers around the globe.

The Championships were first played in 1972 and have been held in notable venues such as Madison Square Garden, New York City; the Olympiahalle, Munich; Staples Center, Los Angeles and the Recinto Ferial Casa de Campo, Madrid. Former singles champions include Tracy Austin, Kim Clijsters, Chris Evert, Evonne Goolagong, Steffi Graf, Martina Hingis, Martina Navratilova, Gabriela Sabatini, Serena Williams, Justine Henin and Venus Williams.

RACE TO THE SONY ERICSSON CHAMPIONSHIPS - DOHA 2009
(as of the week of September 14, 2009)

** Denotes player/team has already qualified

NOTE: Doubles Race points for the winner of the US Open doubles title (Black/Huber or S.Williams/V.Williams) will be updated following the US Open final; point totals above include 2009 US Open finalist points.

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About the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour
The Sony Ericsson WTA Tour is the world’s leading professional sport for women with more than 2,200 players representing 96 nations competing for more than $86 million in prize money at the Tour’s 51 events and four Grand Slams in 31 countries. More than 4.8 million people attended women’s tennis events in 2008 with millions more watching events on television networks around the world. The Sony Ericsson WTA Tour season concludes with the Sony Ericsson Championships – Doha 2009 in Doha, Qatar, from October 27-November 1, and the inaugural Commonwealth Bank Tournament of Champions in Bali, Indonesia from November 4-8. Further information on the Tour can be found on the Internet at www.sonyericssonwtatour.com

About Sony Ericsson
Sony Ericsson is a top, global industry player with sales of around 97 million phones in 2008. Diversity is one of the core strengths of the company, with operations in over 80 countries including manufacturing in China and R&D sites in China, Europe, India, Japan and North America. Sony Ericsson was established as a 50:50 joint venture by Sony and Ericsson in October 2001, with global corporate functions located in London.