Two of the world's top-ranked women's players will be featured at the 1995 Signet Bank Tennis Challenge at the Baltimore Arena in October, tournament chairwoman Pam Shriver announced yesterday.
Second-ranked Arantxa Sanchez Vicario will play No. 5 Mary Pierce, and Shriver will team with Ilie Nastase against Tracy Austin and Johan Kriek in a doubles match.
Proceeds from the Tennis Challenge, presented by The Baltimore Sun, will be distributed by the Baltimore Community Foundation to children's charities. The event has raised nearly $1.5 million the past nine years.
"I have seen Mary and Arantxa play some very exciting matches in the past two years because they have such contrasting styles," Shriver said. "Mary Pierce has those hard shots, while Arantxa is a hustler and scrambler.
"With Arantxa's showing at Wimbledon in July, she has become a favorite among tennis fans," said Shriver. "I'm glad we're able to bring players of their caliber to Baltimore. Neither has ever played here and this will be a unique opportunity to see two top performers at the height of their games."
Sanchez Vicario grabbed the No. 1 ranking at the beginning of the year after reaching the final of the Australian Open. She has reached the final of 1995's first three Grand Slam events, exchanging the No. 1 ranking with Steffi Graf.
Sanchez Vicario raced through Wimbledon before falling to Graf in one of the All England Club's most memorable and exciting matches, which included a 20-minute game at 5-all in the third and deciding set.
Pierce won her first Grand Slam in January at the Australian Open, defeating Sanchez Vicario in the final.
Tickets can be purchased at the Baltimore Arena box office and all Ticketmaster outlets. To charge tickets by phone, call (410) 481-SEAT. Also, VIP floor seats are available by calling (410) 296-2929.
