With Beijing gearing up for its biggest tennis fiesta this autumn, the organizing committee of the China Open released ticket prices.

Considering the modest ticket sales of 2004, "Emma", the event's official ticketing agent, now offers fans more choices. The tickets are cheaper than its first year with five categories ranging from 25 yuan (US$3) to 1200 yuan (US$148).

Tickets for centre court, where spectators can watch the matches of big names, are 100 yuan (US$12) during the first three rounds and the quarter-finals tickets for centre court seats cost 100 to 300 yuan (US$36). Much cheaper prices compared with last year's 200 yuan (US$24) and 680 yuan (US$83).

Ticket prices for the semi-finals range from 200 yuan (US$24) to 600 yuan (US$74) while the finals ticket, which included only two prices with 880 yuan (US$108) to 1200 yuan last year, are expected to range from 400 yuan (US$49) to 1200 yuan.

The 25 (US$3) and 30 yuan (US$3.7) tickets for students will not be provided this year but the 25 yuan outfield tickets are expected to be favourites for students.

The US$1.1 million tournament has attracted a stronger line-up than its first year. French Open winner Rafael Nadal heads a quality field and fellow Spaniards Carlos Moya and Juan Carlos Ferrero will also appear along with Argentine Guillermo Coria. The men's event takes place from September 12 to 19, immediately after the US Open.

The women's tournament begins the week after and involves five of the world's top 10 players.

The newly-crowned world No 1, Russian girl Maria Sharapova, World No 2 Lindsay Davenport of the United States and Svetlana Kuznetsova, as well as Serena and Venus Williams are all scheduled to take part.

(China Daily, August 26, 2005)