Tourney cashes in

The 2009 China Open got a financial boost yesterday as it reached a mammoth sponsorship deal with local portal Sina.com.

Although neither side would disclose full details of the agreement, tournament organizers revealed that Sina, China's No 1 portal, will invest up to 100 million yuan ($14.63 million) to promote the joint WTA and ATP tour. Sina will also help establish an official website (www.chinaopen.com.cn).

The deal pleased the tournament organizers, who are trying hard to woo sponsors amid the current global financial turmoil. The increase of the prize money (from $108 million last year to $660 million) and the higher criteria for sponsors (to match the tournament's upgraded quality) only made things more difficult.