Contacts:

For Immediate Release

2008 OLYMPIC TENNIS GOLD MEDALIST ELENA DEMENTIEVA JOINS SHRIVER’S CHARITY TENNIS CLASSIC ALL-STAR LINE UP; TO SQUARE-OFF AGAINST SERENA WILLIAMS IN BATTLE OF OLYMPIC CHAMPIONS

Baltimore, September 24 – 2008 Olympic Women's Tennis Singles Gold Medalist, Elena Dementieva, will compete head-to-head against world’s No. 1, Serena Williams, at the PNC Tennis Classic presented by The Baltimore Sun, it was announced by Tournament Chairman and Founder, Pam Shriver. Dementieva, currently ranked No. 4 in the world, will play in the Tennis Classic Feature Singles match in a “Battle of Olympic Gold Medal Champions” against Williams who teamed with sister Venus to capture the 2008 Olympic Women’s Tennis Doubles Gold Medal in Beijing.

The 23rd annual Pam Shriver Charity Tennis Classic will be held at Baltimore’s 1st Mariner Arena on Friday, November 21, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. for the benefit of the Baltimore Community Foundation (BCF). Net proceeds from the Tennis Classic are distributed to children’s charities under the guidance of the BCF. Since 1986, over $4 million has been raised and distributed to many of the area’s needy non-profits.

Dementieva, already with two 2008 Sony Ericsson WTA Tour titles, boasts an impressive 46-13 record, including two narrow losses in the semi-finals at both Wimbledon and this year’s US Open. She has been one of the steadiest and most productive players on the Tour amassing over $10 million in career earnings while consistently ranking in the world’s Top Ten in the last five years. In 2004, she barely missed winning her first Grand Slam major with close defeats in the finals at Roland Garros and Flushing Meadows. Along with capturing the 2008 Olympic Tennis Gold Medal in Beijing, she also earned an Olympic Tennis Silver Medal at the 2000 Games in Sydney.

The Tennis Classic is scheduled for Friday evening, November 21 at Baltimore’s 1st Mariner Arena. Tickets are on sale now though all Ticketmaster outlets including the 1st Mariner Arena, or by calling Ticketmaster Phonecharge at 410-547-SEAT (7328). Sponsorship and ticket information can be obtained by calling the Tournament Office at (410) 296-2929 or via the web at www.pnctennisclassic.org.

The PNC Tennis Classic presented by The Baltimore Sun is played to benefit the Baltimore Community Foundation. Proceeds from the PNC Tennis Classic are received by the Tennis Classic Fund, one of more than 500 charitable funds administered by BCF. BCF raises, manages and distributes funds for charitable purposes in the Greater Baltimore region. With assets of $194 million, BCF distributed $30 million in 2007 to hundreds of nonprofit organizations in the Baltimore region and beyond. BCF invites donors to Invest in Baltimore through its civic agenda, which combines economic development with poverty reduction by making strategic investments in the areas of human services, youth, education, transportation, neighborhoods, diversity, environment, arts and culture, and promoting Baltimore.

The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (www.pnc.com) is one of the nation's largest diversified financial services organizations providing consumer and business banking; specialized services for corporations and government entities, including corporate banking, real estate finance and asset-based lending; wealth management; asset management and global fund services.

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