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Two of rising stars of women's tennis, Sabine Lisicki of Germany and Sorana Cirstea of Romania, have confirmed their participation in the US$220,000 PTT Pattaya Open at the Dusit Thani Pattaya from February 7 to 14. Lisicki and Cirstea will join defending champion and world No 9 Vera Zvonareva in the main draw.

Sabine Lisicki, who turned 20 this year, is the German No 1 and finished the year with a world ranking of 22 after beating Venus Williams and Caroline Wozniacki on her way to her maiden tour title, at Charleston. A Wimbledon quarterfinal confirmed her place among the elite.

Teenager Sorana Cirstea climbed to No 45 in the world after beating both Jankovic and Wozniacki to reach the French Open quarterfinals.