The 2007 China Tennis Open Holds Official Press Conference

The 2007 China Tennis Open Holds Official Press Conference

April 18, 2007

    BEIJING, April 18 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- The press
conference of the 2007 China Tennis Open was held at the
Shangri-la Hotel on April 18, 2007.  The sponsor discussed
the competition organization and player invitations.  The
China Open is already honored to have confirmed the
attendance of four world famous players, namely Antonio
Jose Gonzalez Santos, Martina Hingis, Justine
Henin-Hardenne and Ivan Ljubicic.  

    Four World Famous Players First on the List

    Since 2004, Chinese tennis fans have enjoyed the
opportunity to watch live competitions that have included
world famous players like Rafael Nadal, Nikolay Davydenko,
Marat Safin, Maria Sharapova, the Williams sisters and
Lindsay Davenport.  Every China Tennis Open has delivered
more surprises than the last, with this one sure not to
disappoint, as the four confirmed players have already got
Chinese tennis fans excited. 

    For Martina Hingis, the princess of the WTA, it is the
first time she will have come to the China Open.  She has a
strong legion of supporters, and just as many detractors,
and despite some years out of the game due to injury, her
effusive personality and physique make her a focal point
amongst tennis fans and media alike.

    Fernando Gonzalez is also attending his first China
Open.  During the final of the 2007 Australia Open,
Gonzalez was honored to fight with Switzerland's Roger
Federer.  Even though he eventually lost the final,
everyone appreciated his professionalism.  It was a perfect
opportunity for us to appreciate his excellent tennis
skills.  Gonzalez has won many honors for Chile, including
in the Olympics and the World Championships. 

    Justine Henin-Hardenne, as one of the World's best
backhanders on the WTA circuit, missed the last China Open,
but still must be considered one of the favorites for this
year's women's tournament.  

    Ticket Cooperation Sponsors, China Open Bookings Start


    During the press conference the exclusive tickets
sponsor of the 2007 China Open was also announced, China
Ticket Online, via http://www.piao.com.cn , and the
official ticket-sales hotlines: 400-810-3721, 010-64170058,
010-64170068.  A signing ceremony announced that the ticket
sales for this year's China Open would start on April 18,
with members of the public able to buy tickets online or
via one of the hotlines. 

    China Open Officials said the decision for ticket
sponsor was made according to their brand, and technical
capabilities.  Choosing www.piao.com.cn to cooperate with
was mainly a result of it being one of the leading Chinese
ticket websites, and the leading Chinese sports ticketing
outlet. 

    The general manager of China Ticket Online, Feng Yuhong
said, "It has already been a long period of cooperation
between the China Open and China Ticket Online.  Most
customers of China ticket Online are white-collar workers,
and they're mostly interested in the China Open."

    After the signing ceremony, the two parties showed-off
ticket samples of the 2007 China Open, especially designed
with a 2-dimensional bar code.  Every registered customer
has their information included in this code in order to
prevent pirated tickets entering the market. 

    Search for China Open Theme Song Begins

    In the past three years, the China Open has
successfully had their logos and mascots designed via the
public.  This China Open will also hand the search for the
theme song and singers over to the public, making this
China Open even more popular and fashionable than ever
before.

    The search for the theme song and singers is sponsored
by China Open Promotions Company Limited and ZHUSHU
ENTERTAINMENT LTD, and is aimed at promoting China Open
brands and in supporting its development.  It will be the
main promotion campaign before the China Open kicks-off in
September.

    The promotion slogan, "Sing for the China Open
with Unlimited Energy," is aimed at integrating sport,
music and entertainment at the China Open.   No matter
whether you are tennis fan or a music fan, anyone can take
part in helping to find the right song and singers for the
China Open.  In addition, the organizers will invite famous
professional musicians to produce the theme song.  

    The search will be conducted from April 18 to May 20,
2007.  Five songs will be chosen from professional artists,
while another 5 will be chosen as provided by the public. 
An online vote will then take place, before a professional
committee chooses the winner.  Those that provide the best
words and music could receive a RMB10,000 prize, while
other selected winners can obtain different prizes, like
"2007 China Open" VIP tickets.  The committee
includes famous Chinese musicians, like Luo Dayou, Xiao
Chong, Yao Qian, Fang Wenshan, and Sanbao.



    For more information, please contact:

     Amy Jiang
     Tel:   [phone] x806
     Fax:   [phone]
     Email: [e-mail]