South African qualifier Lizaan Du Plessis who lost to Jessica Moore in last year's ladies' $10,000 decider.

For the fourth year running, Skipton Building Society will provide financial support to the JM Glendinning Group Ilkley Open Tennis Tournament.

The Ilkley Open is a huge tennis event held at the Ilkley Lawn Tennis & Squash Club from July 26 to August 2. The tournament includes an international men's singles and doubles competition as well as a number of top grade senior and junior events.

Local club players also have the opportunity to play in the handicap and veteran's competitions.

The Skipton Building Society sponsorship monies not only assist in the running of this tournament but also help fund a junior, Search for a Star' Open morning which will be held on the morning of finals day (Saturday, August 2) from 9am-11am.

Following this session the winner will receive the fantastic prize of a year's free tennis coaching at the club. The Search for a Star event is open to all U-11s, is free of charge and a copy of the application form for this event can be found on the home page of the club's website at iltsc.co.uk or contact the club reception on 01943 607182 for a copy.

Caroline Buncall, Ilkley Lawn Tennis & Squash Club's General Manager, said: "We are delighted that Skipton Building Society is once again on board as a sponsor of the JM Glendinning Group Ilkley Open. The building society has always been a strong supporter of sport at the club and we are now into the fourth year of their sponsorship of the club which not only includes sponsorship of the Ilkley Open but also provides much needed additional support throughout the year.

"This sponsorship helps us not only to bring an international tennis event to Ilkley but also enables us to offer the game of tennis to new players through the search for a star event."

Cara Taylor, Sponsorship Consultant for Skipton Building Society, commented: "The Society is proud to be able to continue its support of the Ilkley Open and the club for a fourth year. The Search for a Star event is very much a highlight and it's wonderful to see so many children with great potential get involved and enjoy a fun filled day."

New sponsor for veterans' events at Open Specialist retirement developer Audley is renewing its sponsorship of one of the men's veteran singles events at the JM Glendinning Group Ilkley Open Tennis Tournament this month.

The company, responsible for the development of the former Clevedon House School site at Ben Rhydding, inaugurated its sponsorship last year with the presentation of a challenge trophy to the winner in the men's 60 and over championship.

Audley Sales and Marketing Director Tanie Thorne said: "We are delighted to support the veterans again this year and look forward to the day when they can practice their drop shots on our own courts at Clevedon!"

Ilkley Open Tennis Tournament Director Caroline Buncall said: "The veterans were very pleased last year to have their event sponsored by Audley and to compete for their prestigious trophy. We are sure that it will be an equally competitive event this time around."

Top players will also fight it out once again at Ilkley for county honours.

Ilkley Lawn Tennis and Squash Club hosts the Ladies' County Cup from July 21-25. This event should see some top names in action and is a fantastic precursor to the JM Glendinning Group Ilkley Open international event.

This year the club hosts Group 4 ladies with the visiting counties taking part from Cambridgeshire, Derbyshire, North Wales, Norfolk, Nottinghamshire and Avon.

Top player Yasmin Clarke has been nominated to play for Derbyshire in the event. The 17 year-old is currently at a career high international ranking of 620 in singles and 583 in doubles and has risen up through the ranks by 136 places since the end of 2007. She recently reached the round of 32 at a $25,000 event in Bogota, Columbia.

Georgie Stoop has also been nominated to play for Cambridgeshire and similarly the 20 year-old has had a great year. She is currently ranked 363 in the world at singles and 317 at doubles and is currently in California playing in a WTA Tour Tier II event.

Nottinghamshire should also be fielding a strong team with sisters Natasha and Sophie Marks and Jocelyn Rae being nominated to play for the county.

They will leave the international circuit for the week joining their teammates at Ilkley for what should be a really top quality event.

Caroline Buncall (Club General Manager) said: "There are always some very entertaining and exciting doubles matches throughout the week and spectators are very welcome to come and watch with additional seating being provided around the grass courts."

The JM Glendinning Group who are sponsoring not only the Ilkley Open but also Group 4 Ladies County Week are also looking forward to the event.

Managing Director, Paul Glendinning said: "We are again delighted to be linked to such a prestigious event and are looking forward to some great tennis action throughout the week."

8:22am Thursday 17th July 2008

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