Tenis: Primul Masters Cup asiatic va avea loc în Thailanda şi va avea premii de 200.000 euro

BANGKOK, March 27 (Reuters) - Thailand has been selected to host the inaugural Asian Masters Cup later this year, an event featuring the top seven male and female players from across the continent, the Asian Tennis Federation said on Tuesday.

The $200,000 tournament, which would follow the same format as the year-ending ATP Masters Cup and WTA Championships, would take place in Bangkok in November, ATF Vice-President Chaiyapak Siriwat told Reuters.

Thailand was chosen to host the event in honour of the 80th birthday of the country's revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the world's longest-reigning monarch.

"The ATF has agreed to allow Thailand to host the first event," Chaiyapak said. "His Majesty the King will donate the Asian Masters Cup trophies, which will be named after him."

In both events, Asia's top seven ranked players, plus a wild card entry from the host nation, will be divided into two groups of four, competing in a round-robin format.

The top two from each group would advance to the knockout stages.

The Asian Masters Cup will take place annually, with the host country changing every year.