The PTT Pattaya Open is not a slam, but his reputation is increasing fast.
There is no player from the top 10 as the tournament is too close to the Australian Open and some players such as Errani and Kvitova may prefer playing in Europe (the WTA Open GDF Suez in Paris). But there is a good bunch of “2nd tier players”.
This year the top two seeds are Ana Ivanovic and Maria Kirilenko, and there are some more interesting names such as Hantuchova, veteran Kate-Drum, and Heather Watson.
Ana didn’t have the easiest draw to play either Scheepers or the surprising (and very fit) 42 years-old Date-Krum that has jsut trashed Petrova at the Australian Open.
Then the Serb should play (a beauty context?) with double defending champion Daniela Hantuchova in the third round.
In the semifinals Ana should play seed no.5 Sabine Lisiki to then possibly clash with Maria Kirilenko.
Maria Kirilenko may play Casey Dellacqua in the 2nd round (the first is against a qualifier) to then possibly clash with Elena Vesnina (she is playing well) , then either Sorana Cirstea or Heather Watson in the semis.
Here the full draw
