Spanish standout to play here

Advertiser Staff

Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario is the latest to commit to the inaugural Big Island Championships, Sept. 8-16 at Hilton Waikoloa Village on the Big Island.

Sanchez, 29, has won 29 Sanex WTA Tour singles titles, including four Grand Slams. She is currently ranked No. 18 in the world.

She won her 700th singles match this year, becoming the fifth player in the Open Era to reach that milestone. Only Steffi Graf, Martina Navratilova and Martina Hingis have won more money. In 1995, Sanchez became the first male or female player from Spain to hold the No. 1 ranking in the Open Era.

Sanchez, who is fluent in five languages, lists her hobbies as "reading and relaxing on the beach." She can do that here in her spare time. The tournament's 32-player main draw begins Sept. 10 and all the direct acceptances have Top-100 rankings.

That includes Wimbledon finalist Justine Henin, Amy Frazier, Wimbledon doubles champion Lisa Raymond, Cara Black, Meilin Tu, Lilia Osterloh, Kristina Brandi, Rachel McQuillan and Nicole Pratt.

General admission will range from $10 the opening day to $25 for the finals. Tickets go on sale shortly through Ticket Plus (808-526-4400) and www.hawaiitix.com.

Hilton Waikoloa and other area hotels and condos are offering package rates.

Hilton Waikoloa Village has been the site of the ATP Challenger Series for two years. American Andy Roddick won that event in January. Both tournaments are produced by Total Eclipse Sports.