Stosur enters 2011 Family Circle Cup
DANIEL ISLAND, SC (WCSC) - CHARLESTON, SC (October 12, 2010) – World No. 8 and defending champion Samantha Stosur has officially entered the 2011 Family Circle Cup. Stosur, the first player to commit to the tournament, returns to Daniel Island where she set the event's mark for the fastest championship victory on record by defeating Vera Zvonareva 6-0, 6-3, in just 52 minutes. Marking the tournament's 39th consecutive year, the Family Circle Cup, a Sony Ericsson WTA Tour Premier event, will be held April 2-10, 2011 at the Family Circle Tennis Center in historic Charleston, South Carolina.
"We are thrilled to welcome Sam Stosur back to Charleston to defend her championship in April," commented Eleanor Adams, Tournament Manager, Family Circle Cup. "Since winning the Family Circle Cup, she has continued to post the best results of her singles career, and we're so happy to have her return where that success began. I know our fans will enjoy watching her take another shot at this title."
Samantha Stosur, the 20th champion in the Family Circle Cup's storied history, said, "I've always enjoyed competing in Charleston, and I really look forward to defending my title at this historic event. The city is beautiful and the fans are very knowledgeable, so it's always exciting to play this tournament."
Building upon an impressive 2009 season that included her first title at Osaka and first appearance in the Top 20, Stosur is posting an even stronger year in 2010, illustrated by her Charleston victory, reaching the finals at Roland Garros, quarterfinal appearance at the US Open, career-high ranking at World No. 5 on July 5th, and a secured berth in the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour Championships in Doha at the end of this month. She is also climbing towards the $2 million earnings mark since January, the highest earning season of her career. The 26-year-old Top-ranked Australian has over 300 career victories in both singles and doubles, and has amassed total career earnings of $6,098,833.
"Winning the Family Circle Cup has certainly been an important highlight of my career," added Stosur.
Throughout her 12-year professional career, Stosur has made a prolific mark in doubles action, where she has held a World No. 1 ranking. She owns 22 doubles titles, including a Family Circle Cup title in 2006 with partner Lisa Raymond, as well as two mixed doubles titles. Stosur owns a title at every major, winning at the 2005 US Open and 2006 Roland Garros with partner Lisa Raymond, and mixed doubles titles at the 2005 Australian Open with Scott Draper, and 2008 Wimbledon with Bob Bryan.
Stosur is poised to make her fifth appearance in Charleston, where, in singles, she has notched a 6-3 record and $120,150 in prize money. In doubles action, she has posted a 6-2 record and $35,100 in prize money. Her total Charleston earnings amount to $155,250. Fans can view Samantha Stosur's official web site at www.samstosur.com.
