Bangalore Open delayed by strike

The WTA has been forced to delay the start of this year's Bangalore Open because of a local strike.
A 12-hour stoppage in Karnataka was called by political parties to protest against a controversial federal ruling on water sharing.

Security has been tightened across the state while schools and software firms in the region have closed.

With authorities bracing themselves for violence, officials made the decision to postpone the WTA event by 24 hours.

Defending champion Mara Santangelo of Italy and home favourite Sania Mirza are the top two seeds in the $175,000 tournament after Australian Open winner Serena Williams pulled out due to illness.

"Serena failed to board the flight to Bangalore because of bad flu," revealed Open organiser Sunder Rajan.

The 25-year-old was scheduled to make her first appearance since winning her eighth Grand Slam title last month.

:blink:

Thats a shame, I feel sorry for the tournament organiser having so many setbacks :(

Bloody strikers :rolleyes:

Hopefully the local favourite Mirza can win this one. Afterall she is the second seed. But she flopped last year!

Shvedova bags the title in Bangalore with a straight sets win over the top seed! :D
Nice to see someone getting their first title! :ok: