After only one event, the WTA tournament changes to Biel-Bienne and venue.From 9.till 15.April 2018 is now played in the open air in Lugano on sand.
The move to the mild Lugano Lake has two reasons: As the Bieler Tagblatt reports, the players are to be offered optimal conditions after their return from the US tournaments in Indian Wells and Key Biscayne to tackle the European clay court season.
In addition, the organizers hope to attract more spectators at the Lido Lugano tennis court than at the premiere in Biel.At the indoor event many places remained free, although Karolina Pliskova was an absolute top player in the field of participants.
Biels mayor Erich Fehr expressed his regret:”It’s a pity that the organisers didn’t give the tournament any longer time to establish itself here.Other events will continue to take place in the Biel Arena.”
Marketa Vondrousova remains the first and for the time being the only winner in the Swiss canton of Berne. The 18-year-old Czech had celebrated her title premiere on the WTA tour in the final against Anett Kontaktit.