Harrison, Petkovic, Keys Highlight Sony Open Wildcards

2013 AFP

MIAMI, Fla. (www.sonyopentennis.com) – The 2013 Sony Open has announced its wildcard entries this year which feature former World No. 9 Andrea Petkovic, Madison Keys and Christian Harrison. A total of four wildcard spots were given to the men’s main draw, while seven wildcards were granted to the women’s main draw, which also include Victoria Duval, Eugenie Bouchard and Garbine Muguruza.

The women’s main draw begins Tuesday, March 19 with the men’s draw starting the next day, Wednesday, March 20. The qualifying rounds kick-off on Monday, March 18 and ends Tuesday, March 19.

Tickets to the 2013 Sony Open are on sale now and can be purchased by phone (305-442-3367) or online at www.sonyopentennis.com. A sensational two weeks of tennis caps off with the women’s final on Saturday, March 30 and the men’s final on Sunday, March 31.

Petkovic will make her return to South Florida hoping to top her career-best semifinal showing in 2011. Madison Keys and Christian Harrison, both rising 18 year-old Americans, are looking to make their mark in Miami with strong results. Keys, who qualified last year, lost to eventual champ Agnieszka Radwanska in the second round.

Petkovic, a proven winner on tour with two WTA titles, made the quarterfinals in three out of the four Grand Slams in 2011 and finished the year ranked No. 10 in the world.

Keys made her professional debut in 2009 where she was the seventh youngest player ever to win a WTA match. She’s looking to keep up her solid start to 2013 after a third-round finish at the Australian Open, setting a career best finish in a Grand Slam. Christian Harrison, another promising 18-year-old American and younger brother of current World No. 73 Ryan Harrison, will make his first appearance at the Sony Open.

In addition, the Sony Open previously awarded wildcards to three prominent players on the men’s side comprising of former World No. 1 Lleyton Hewitt, former World No. 4 James Blake and former World No. 6 David Nalbandian.

The remaining wildcards for the women consist of some of the next generation of stars including teenagers  Victoria Duval, Garbine Muguruza, Eugenie Bouchard, Anett Kontaveit, Ajla Tomljanovic and local star, Allie Kiick.

The 2013 Sony Open men’s draw is already loaded with Grand-Slam caliber players, not to mention the strong wildcards. Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, Rafael Nadal and David Ferrer are just a few of the stars who will take the courts at Crandon Park Tennis Center in their quest to win one of the most prestigious titles on tour.

The women’s field is also packed with the best in the world including World No. 1 Serena Williams, defending champion Agnieszka Radwanska, 2013 Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka, three-time Sony Open champion Venus Williams, 4-time Grand Slam champion Maria Sharapova and many more, so secure your tickets to the 2013 Sony Open now!

Men's Main Draw Wildcards:                        

David Nalbandian 

Lleyton Hewitt

James Blake

Christian Harrison

Women's Main Draw Wildcards:

Garbine Muguruza

Madison Keys

Ajla Tomljanovic

Anett Kontaveit

Victoria Duval

Eugenie Bouchard

Andrea Petkovic

ABOUT THE SONY OPEN: The 2013 Sony Open will be played March 18-April 31 at the Tennis Center at Crandon Park in Miami. The two-week combined event is owned and operated by IMG. The Sony Open is one of nine ATP Masters 1000 Series events on the ATP calendar, a Premier Mandatory event on the WTA calendar, and features the top men's and women's tennis players in the world. In 2012 Novak Djokovic defeated Andy Murray for his third Sony Open title, while Agnieszka Radwanska knocked off Maria Sharapova to capture her first title in Miami. For ticket information, call (305) 442-3367 or visit the website at www.SonyOpenTennis.com

ABOUT SONY MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS: Sony Mobile Communications is a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Corporation, a leading global innovator of audio, video, game, communications, key device and information technology products for both the consumer and professional markets. Through its Xperia™ smartphone portfolio, Sony Mobile Communications delivers the best of Sony technology, premium content and services, and easy connectivity to Sony’s world of networked entertainment experiences. For more information: www.sonymobile.com

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