Qualifying rounds from Oct 27; Main Draw from Oct 29

World ranked 57 and fast rising 24year-old from China, Zheng Saisai, who won her last WTA title as recently as April of this year, has been given pride of place and will lead a field of leading players from 19 countries in the 2nd edition of the L&T Mumbai Open WTA $125K Series, which will be organized by the Maharashtra State Lawn Tennis Association (MSLTA) and the Cricket Club of India (CCI), to be played at the CCI courts from October 27 to November 4, 2018.

This was announced by Ms Amruta Fadnavis, Chairperson of the Organizing Committee at a press conference, in the presence of Ms Pallavi Darade, IRS, Organizing Secretary, Tournament Directors Mr. Prashant Sutar and MSLTA Secretary Mr. Sunder Iyer.

Also present on the occasion were Mr. Bharat Oza, President MSLTA, Mr. Premal Udani, President CCI, Jayesh Shah, CMD Shree Naman Group and CCI Tennis Secretary Sachin Bajaj.

Zheng will be followed by last year's runner-up and World No. 79 Slovenian Dalila Jakupovic, USA's World No. 94 Sachia Vickery and Serbia's World No. 96. Olga Danilovic.

The Indian challenge will be spearheaded by Ankita Raina, who won the hearts of the tennis fans when she reached the quarter finals last year.

“L&T has had a tradition of supporting sporting events in the country and we are delighted to continue partnering MSLTA for a second year to bring serious tennis back to India,” said Mr. P Niranjana, Vice President & Head Special Projects & Bridges, L&T Construction.

Speaking to reporters, Amruta Fadnavis said, “We got a huge response last year because of the joint effort put in by the organisers and the government officials working behind the scene. This year we have set even higher standards and a grand stage has been prepared to welcome the world's leading women players.

Maharashtra has been in the forefront where promoting tennis is concerned and the L&T Mumbai Open will give our own players another opportunity to compete on the world stage. I thank the Cricket Club of India for the wonderful infrastructure provided to this event and am confident that the players will take back wonderful memories from the event,” Amruta Fadnavis added.