Tournament Dates 2016: May 7-15

The International Women's Tournament ITF EMPIRE Slovak Open with a prize money of 100 000 USD is the biggest women's tennis tournament in Slovakia as it was last year. EMPIRE Slovak Open held on clay in May has the potential to become the biggest Slovak women's tournament in history. It's prize money is still raising. At the end of the first year, it had been 25 000 USD. In 2011, it was twice the size. This and last year, there were 75 000 USD which was divided to players and tournament was again called International Championship of Slovakia. This will repeat during the upcoming 7th year, but at the same time, prize money will raise on 100 000 USD which will remain in the season 2016.

More informationas on the website: www.empireslovakopen.sk

In the past, the world's players as Barbora Zahlavova Strycova, Lucie Hradecka, Jovana Jaksic, Julia Glushko, Sandra Zahlavova, Elena Bovina, Yvonne Meusburger, Simona Halep, but also Jana Cepelova have been participated on tennis courts of TC Empire Trnava. Tennis tournament ITF EMPIRE Slovak Open 2014 has the winner from Slovakia for the first time in its history. The 2014 title belongs to Anna Karolina Schmiedlova from Kosice, who has won the final against Barbora Zahlavova-Strycova of the Czech Republic 6-4, 6-2.

ITF EMPIRE Slovak Open 2016

Katerina Siniakova from Czech Republic won the EMPIRE Slovak Open 2016 title (prize money 100 000 USD, clay). WTA No. 124, 22 years old Siniakova beat the Latvian Anastasija Sevastova (26), winner from four years ago, number three seeded, in three sets 7-6, 5-7, 6-0.

Siniakova lost lead in second set, being 5-1 up. She made nine double faults. After Strycova win in 2013, this is second Czech player to take the title from Trnava.

Nervous second set

Hradec Kralove born Siniakova won her seventh singles title under ITF. This is her most prestigious title, first after two years. Two years ago she won 50K tournament in Nantes. For her win, she will receive 15 200 USD and 140 points into the ranking. Finalist Sevastova receives 85 points and 8108 USD before taxation.

Siniakova was up in the final match 7-6(4) and 5-2, her Latvian opponent got back into the match. "I am very happy, especially after that bad second set. Sevastova played very well, she plays very technically. I helped her a lot in second set, especially after being 5-2 up. I did not win my serve, then she was on fire. Nervous were there, it was not easy. I could not get into rhythm," said Siniakova about the beginnig of the match.

Third time in Trnava

"In the third set, I had break up, I tried to take the match, I did my best. I tried to forget about that lost second set," continued the winner. She takes 15 200 USD and 140 points into the WTA rankings. Sevastova earns 85 points and 8108 USD. "I played here third time, I really like it here. When I was youger, I played in TC EMPIRE some youth tournaments. It was very pleasant week,“ added satisfied Siniakova, who is already on her way to play Roland Garros qualification.

Mihalikova takes doubles title

Slovakian player has also title from EMPIRE Slovak Open 2016. Tereza Mihalikova is the happy player together with Anna Kalinskaya, they beat Sevastova/Rodinoa in the final in two sets 6-1, 7-6(4). Mihalikova lost her first round singles match against Sevastova earlier in the week. "I did not consider it as revenge, we wanted to win the match, they were favourites. When we play together with Anna, we are not nervous at all, even if one of us does not have a good day, we support each other. We enjoy it," said happy Mihalikova, who really likes playing doubles.

"I love playing doubles, i tis great fun. I do not mind being doubles specialist. We played four tournaments with Anna, winning all four. We laughed about Hingis and Mirza, they should take us seriously. They won 41 matches in a row, we still have some wins to make to match that," she added with smile.

EMPIRE Slovak Open 2016 singles winner Katerina Siniakova:

EMPIRE Slovak Open 2016 doubles winners Tereza Mihalikova & Anna Kalinskaya with coaches:

Previous winners: