Andy Murray to Team Up with Marcelo Melo for Doubles in Eastbourne, Six Major Women’s Champions in Singles Field
(June 21, 2019) LTA – Andy Murray will return to Devonshire Park for the Nature Valley International, Eastbourne, an LTA summer grass court event which takes place 21-29 June.
Murray, who competed in the singles draw at the Nature Valley International in 2018, underwent hip resurfacing surgery following January’s Australian Open, and began his comeback at The Fever Tree Championships at The Queen’s Club, London, on Thursday.
Murray will team up with Marcelo Melo from Brazil, who is ranked No.4 in the world in doubles, joining fellow wild cards Cameron Norrie and Scott Clayton in the 16-team Eastbourne draw.
Reigning Wimbledon champion Angelique Kerber becomes the sixth women’s Grand Slam champion to enter this year’s Nature Valley International, joining Ashleigh Barty (2019 French Open), Simona Halep (2018 French Open) Caroline Wozniacki (2018 Australian Open), Sloane Stephens (2017 US Open) and Jelena Ostapenko (2017 French Open).
“I’ve played some incredibly tough matches at Eastbourne over the years and I have great memories of my runs to the final there in 2012 and 2014, and of course reaching the semi-final last year,” said Kerber. “I always love coming back there and playing in front of the fans on the beautiful grass courts, and it’s the perfect way to fine-tune my grass court game ahead of Wimbledon.“
Nature Valley International tournament director Gavin Fletcher said: “With the return of our two-time finalist Angelique Kerber, this year’s women’s singles draw now features eight of the world’s top 10, and 16 of the top 20, building on the tournament’s legacy of showcasing the best in the women’s game.
“The fans here always love supporting our home players so I know they will get behind our British wild cards, and that they will share my delight in welcoming Andy Murray back on the South Coast playing the Nature Valley International. Hopefully they will enjoy some terrific men’s and women’s tennis during the week, and be inspired to pick up a racket themselves.”
Friday is Family Day at the Nature Valley International with free entry for all to enjoy first round qualifying matches, and Eugenie Bouchard, Samantha Stosur, and Britain’s Christie and Barnett among the players in action.
NATURE VALLEY INTERNATIONAL – EASTBOURNE
ORDER OF PLAY – FRIDAY, JUNE 21, 2019
COURT 2 start 11:00 am
WTA – Qualifying – F. Ferro (FRA) vs [8] E. Bouchard (CAN)
WTA – Qualifying – [3] P. Hercog (SLO) vs J. Teichmann (SUI)
WTA – Qualifying – [1] D. Yastremska (UKR) vs [WC] F. Christie (GBR)
WTA – Qualifying – [4] I. Swiatek (POL) vs S. Stosur (AUS)
COURT 3 start 11:00 am
WTA – Qualifying – [5] [WC] D. Gavrilova (AUS) vs V. Lapko (BLR)
WTA – Qualifying – M. Minella (LUX) vs [11] [WC] A. Sharma (AUS)
WTA – Qualifying – [2] V. Kudermetova (RUS) vs B. Pera (USA)
WTA – Qualifying – [WC] A. Barnett (GBR) vs [12] Z. Diyas (KAZ)
COURT 4 start 11:00 am
WTA – Qualifying – [6] J. Pegula (USA) vs S. Voegele (SUI)
WTA – Qualifying – L. Cabrera (AUS) vs [9] P. Parmentier (FRA)
WTA – Qualifying – T. Bacsinszky (SUI) vs [10] V. Golubic (SUI)
WTA – Qualifying – U. Radwanska (POL) vs [7] M. Linette (POL)
