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The East West Bank Classic presented by Herbalife has hosted some of the most memorable
and historical matches in the 39-year history of the popular southern California Sony Ericsson WTA Tour
stop. Beginning in 2004, the annual Tier II event has been hosted by The Home Depot Center, on the campus
of California State University, Dominguez Hills in Carson, California after a 21-year run at the Manhattan
Beach Country Club.
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The 56-player draw features the top female tennis players in the world. In just the last two decades,
eight players who have held the WTA's No. 1 ranking have been tournament champions of the East West Bank
Classic, including Kim Clijsters (2005 & 2003), Lindsay Davenport (2004, 2001, 1998 & 1996), Serena Williams
(2000 & 1999) and five time champion (a tournament record) Martina Navratilova. Last year, Ana Ivanovic became
the fourth women to earn the crown at the 8,000-seat tennis stadium at The Home Depot Center.
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The East West Bank Classic presented by Herbalife is part of the prestigious US Open Series, which links
10 summer hard-court tournaments to the famed US Open. This year's East West Bank Classic marks the fifth year
players competing in the US Open Series tournaments will be vying for bonus prize money at the US Open. Players
competing in the "summer season" of tennis at the participating Sony Ericsson WTA Tour tournaments will receive
US Open Series points, which will ultimately earn the series winner the opportunity to double her US Open prize purse.
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Since purchasing the event prior to the 2004 tournament, Los Angeles-based sports and entertainment presenters
AEG has aggressively marketed women's tennis' traditional tour stop with popular promotions, including bobblehead doll,
giant tennis ball and racket giveaways; exclusive hospitality parties; and the annual fireworks extravaganza on Saturday
night, all leading to record-setting attendance figures each year. The East West Bank Classic presented by Herbalife is
truly the "Ultimate Tennis Celebration."
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