All posts for the month May, 2012

World No. 6 Caroline Wozniacki and World No. 4 Agnieszka Radwanska Enter New Haven Open at Yale

Top-10 Players Join Rising American Star Christina McHale As First Players To Commit

NEW HAVEN, Conn., May 3, 2012 – Four-time champion and World No. 6 Caroline Wozniacki and World No. 4 Agnieszka Radwanska have committed to play the 2012 New Haven Open at Yale presented by First Niagara, a WTA event that is part of the Emirates Airline US Open Series to be held August 17-25, 2012 at the Connecticut Tennis Center, it was announced today by Tournament Director Anne Worcester.

Wozniacki, who ended 2012 ranked No. 1 in the world, will make her fifth consecutive appearance at the New Haven Open, where she will be the four-time defending champion. The 21 year-old “Queen of New Haven” is undefeated in Connecticut and in 2011 she stormed to the title as the No. 1 seed without dropping a set. With a championship run in 2012, Wozniacki will surpass Venus Williams to become the outright record-holder for consecutive and overall titles won at the New Haven Open. She has an impressive 18 titles overall in her young career.”I love playing the New Haven Open and being on the Yale campus, and am hopeful that I can continue my winning streak there this August,” said Wozniacki. “The fans in Connecticut have been amazing, and they make the tournament feel like a home event for me. It’s definitely one of my favorite tournaments and terrific preparation for the US Open.”

Joining Wozniacki is 2011 WTA “Fan Favorite” Agnieszka (Aga) Radwanska. The 22 year-old native of Poland has had a fantastic start to 2012, winning titles in Dubai and Miami and reaching a career-high ranking of World No. 4. Last year in New Haven, she suffered an early loss to a streaking Petra Cetkovska, who eventually reached the finals. She has nine WTA titles in her career, but will look to make that double digits with her fourth appearance in Connecticut.

“Adding two of the top six players in the world this early, one being Caroline Wozniacki who has become the face of the New Haven Open over the past four years, is thrilling,” said Worcester. “We are excited to see if Caroline can make New Haven Open history with five consecutive victories, but I am certain the competition will be tough as one of her close friends, Aga Radwanska, is one of the hottest WTA players right now.”

In addition to Wozniacki and Radwanska, rising American star Christina McHale entered the New Haven Open just one week ago. The teenager from Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey has had a great start to 2012, recording a win over reigning Wimbledon champion and World No. 3 Petra Kvitova, amassing an undefeated record for the United States in Fed Cup play and reaching a career-high ranking of No. 32 in the world.

To celebrate Mother’s Day, if fans purchase tickets between now and Sunday, May 13, they will receive early access to individual session Box and Middle Tier seats. If fans purchase $150 or more in tickets, they will also receive a Molton Brown gift pack featuring Heavenly Gingerlily Bath & Shower Gel and a $30 Molton Brown gift card ($44 value). Log on to www.newhavenopen.com or call 1-855-464-8366 for more information. Also, make sure to join New Haven Open on Facebook & Twitter for special offers, discounts, games and more.

TICKET PACKAGES ON SALE FOR NEW HAVEN OPEN AT YALE

After Hours, Pick Four Flex, The Weekender and Championship Series Packages Available Now

NEW HAVEN, Conn., April 3, 2012 – Ticket packages are now on sale for the 2012 New Haven Open at Yale presented by First Niagara, a WTA event that is part of the Emirates Airline US Open Series to be held August 17-25, 2012 at the Connecticut Tennis Center, it was announced today by Tournament Director Anne Worcester.

The packages, which include After Hours, Pick Four Flex, The Weekender and Championship Series, provide fans with a comprehensive tennis viewing experience based on their individual schedules.

For those who are busy during weekday hours, The After Hours package includes a ticket to every night session including the finals on Saturday, August 25. The Pick Four Flex naturally gives the most flexibility for visitors to the tournament, allowing them to choose any four sessions to attend from Sunday, August 19-Thursday, August 23 (sessions 1-9). To catch the final four in action, look no further than The Weekender, which gives fans access to both semifinals on Friday, August 24 and the Final on Saturday, August 25.

These three packages include the option of either box seats or seats in the middle tier, so act fast to get your preferred location.

Finally, the best value comes for our most avid fans in the Championship Series package, which includes one ticket to all 14 sessions in the first row of the middle tier, a prime location to see some of the world’s best tennis players in action.

To purchase a Ticket Package for the 2012 New Haven Open click here!

Log on to www.newhavenopen.com or call 1-855-464-8366 for more information. Also, make sure to join the New Haven Open on Facebook & Twitter for tournament updates, contests and more.

About New Haven Open at Yale presented by First Niagara

New Haven Open at Yale presented by First Niagara has always been much more than a tennis tournament; it is a leading example of leveraging a large-scale international sporting event to generate $26 million in regional economic impact and to build community pride, spirit and engagement, especially among youth. The 2011 tournament featured World No. 1 and now four-time defending champion Caroline Wozniacki, and three Grand Slam champions Li Na, Francesca Schiavone and Svetlana Kuznetsova. The women’s-only WTA event is part of the Olympus US Open Series and will be held August 17-25, 2012 at the Connecticut Tennis Center at Yale. The New Haven Open is prominently featured domestically on ESPN2 and also broadcast around the world. For more information about the tournament and tickets, visit www.newhavenopen.com or call 1-855-464-8366.

About First Niagara Financial Group

As of April 25th, First Niagara Financial Group, Inc., through its wholly owned subsidiary, First Niagara Bank, N.A., has $30 billion in assets, 346 branches and $18 billion in deposits. First Niagara Bank, N.A. is a multi-state community-oriented bank providing financial services to individuals, families and businesses across Upstate New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Massachusetts. For more information, visit www.fnfg.com.

About Emirates Airline US Open Series

Americans Mardy Fish and Serena Williams swept the 2011 Emirates Airline US Open Series men’s and women’s titles. In 2007, Roger Federer collected the biggest paycheck in tennis history – $2.4 million – for winning the US Open and the Emirates Airline US Open Series. In 2005, Kim Clijsters also captured both the US Open and the Series, winning $2.2 million – the largest purse in women’s sports history – and equaled that amount in 2010, winning the US Open and finishing the Emirates Airline US Open Series in second place.

AMERICAN NO. 2 CHRISTINA MCHALE FIRST PLAYER TO ENTER NEW HAVEN OPEN AT YALE

Rising American Star Leads 300 New Haven Kids in First Niagara Tennis Play Day;

First Niagara to Donate Tennis Equipment to all Participating Schools

NEW HAVEN, Conn., April 26, 2012 – American No. 2 Christina McHale has committed to play the 2012 New Haven Open at Yale presented by First Niagara, a WTA event that is part of the Emirates Airline US Open Series to be held August 17-25, 2012 at the Connecticut Tennis Center, it was announced today by Tournament Director Anne Worcester.The teenager from Englewoods Cliffs, New Jersey has had a great start to 2012, recording a win over reigning Wimbledon champion and World No. 3 Petra Kvitova, amassing an undefeated record for the United States in Fed Cup play, and reaching a career-high ranking of No. 32 in the world. Last year as a wildcard at the New Haven Open, McHale beat two-time Grand Slam champion Svetlana Kuznetsova in her run to the quarterfinals. Just two weeks prior, McHale became the lowest-ranked player to defeat world No. 1 and four-time New Haven Open champion Caroline Wozniacki in all of 2011.

“We are thrilled to have Christina return to play at the New Haven Open,” said Worcester. “She is a rising American star who has climbed more than 70 spots in the WTA rankings over the past year. She is another example of how the stars of tomorrow annually shine at the New Haven Open.”On Thursday, McHale demonstrated what it takes to be a top tennis player to 300 New Haven first and second graders in the 11^th annual First Niagara Tennis Play Day (formerly the Free Lesson), introducing many of them to the sport and showing them the importance of fitness in their lives through fun, low pressure play. The kids were also encouraged to continue playing tennis by signing up for affordable summer programs offered by New Haven Parks & Rec. To date, more than 5,000 New Haven kids have participated in these year-round tennis programs which offer a safe place to play, academic support and mentoring, as well as competitive tennis opportunities to children and youth throughout New Haven.

As an added incentive for the kids to continue playing tennis, First Niagara will be donating tennis equipment including age-appropriate tennis balls and nets to all nine participating elementary schools: Davis, Sheriden, Troup, Barnard, Truman, Martinez, Edgewood, Fairhaven and St. Aedan/St. Brendan.

“First Niagara is pleased to offer tennis equipment to these New Haven elementary schools,” said First Niagara Regional President David Ring. “We are dedicated to the local communities in which we live and work, and giving back to these young members of our community is just one way First Niagara is able to help fulfill its commitment to corporate social responsibility.”

Previous pros leading the First Niagara Tennis Play Day include World No. 11 John Isner, Connecticut native Thomas Blake, former ATP pro Taylor Dent, General Manager of USTA Player Development Patrick McEnroe, former US Olympic coach Zina Garrison and past WTA professionals Mashona Washington and Alexandra Stevenson.

Also, the tournament is offering fans a great gift option for Mother’s Day – between Tuesday, May 1 and Sunday, May 13 fans have early access to individual session Box and Middle Tier seats, which normally are on sale June 1. Anyone purchasing $150 or more in tickets will receive a Molton Brown gift pack featuring Heavenly Gingerlily Bodywash and a $30 Molton Brown gift card ($44 value).

Log on to www.newhavenopen.com or call 1-855-464-8366 for more information. Also, make sure to join New Haven Open on Facebook & Twitter for tournament updates, contests and more.

About New Haven Open at Yale presented by First Niagara

New Haven Open at Yale presented by First Niagara has always been much more than a tennis tournament; it is a leading example of leveraging a large-scale international sporting event to generate $26 million in regional economic impact and to build community pride, spirit and engagement, especially among youth. The 2011 tournament featured World No. 1 and now four-time defending champion Caroline Wozniacki, and three Grand Slam champions Li Na, Francesca Schiavone and Svetlana Kuznetsova. The women’s-only WTA event is part of the Olympus US Open Series and will be held August 17-25, 2012 at the Connecticut Tennis Center at Yale.The New Haven Open is prominently featured domestically on ESPN2 and also broadcast around the world. For more information about the tournament and tickets, visit www.newhavenopen.com or call 1-855-464-8366.

About First Niagara

First Niagara, through its wholly owned subsidiary, First Niagara Bank, N.A., is a multi-state community-oriented bank that currently has approximately $33 billion in assets, $19 billion in deposits, more than 330 branches and 5,000 employees providing financial services to individuals, families and businesses across Upstate New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Massachusetts. For more information, visit www.fnfg.com.When First Niagara completes its acquisition of the HSBC branches, expected to occur in the second quarter of 2012, the regional bank will have an enhanced leadership position in the Northeast, with nearly 430 locations, $30 billion in total deposits, $38 billion in assets and more than 6,000 employees serving consumers, businesses and communities across New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Massachusetts. The transaction will also provide First Niagara with number-one retail market share across Upstate New York, virtually doubling its number of branches in New York State to more than 200, stretching from Buffalo to Albany and down through the Hudson Valley.

About Emirates Airline US Open Series

Now in its ninth season, the Emirates Airline US Open Series continues to serve as a true regular season of hard court tennis, linking 10 summer tournaments to the US Open. Fans follow the action throughout the summer during national broadcast coverage while players battle for $40 million, including a chance for bonus prize money at the US Open. The Series collectively reached a U.S. television audience of 39 million and drew more than 800,000 on-site fans in 2011. In 2012, Emirates Airline became the title sponsor of the Series, as well as the official airline of the US Open. The Emirates Airline US Open Series is also supported by sponsors American Express, Chase, Citizen Watch Company, Esurance, evian and Gatorade.Americans Mardy Fish and Serena Williams swept the 2011 Emirates Airline US Open Series men’s and women’s titles. In 2007, Roger Federer collected the biggest paycheck in tennis history – $2.4 million – for winning the US Open and the Emirates Airline US Open Series. In 2005, Kim Clijsters also captured both the US Open and the Series, winning $2.2 million – the largest purse in women’s sports history – and equaled that amount in 2010, winning the US Open and finishing the Emirates Airline US Open Series in second place.

All posts for the month May, 2012

World No. 6 Caroline Wozniacki and World No. 4 Agnieszka Radwanska Enter New Haven Open at Yale

TICKET PACKAGES ON SALE FOR NEW HAVEN OPEN AT YALE

AMERICAN NO. 2 CHRISTINA MCHALE FIRST PLAYER TO ENTER NEW HAVEN OPEN AT YALE

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