Israel cancels inaugural WTA tournament

JERUSALEM, Aug 6 (Reuters) A women's tennis tournament scheduled to take place in Tel Aviv in October was cancelled by the Israel Tennis Association (ITA) tonday due to the precarious security situation in the region, officials said.

The 145,000 dollars Anda Open scheduled for October 16-22 would have been the first high level WTA tournament to be held in Israel.

''The decision not to hold the tournament was taken after many deliberations. It is a joint decision of the International Tennis Federation and the Anda Open... and the Israel Tennis Association,'' a statement said.

Israel launched a massive air and ground offensive in Lebanon after Shi'ite guerrilla group Hizbollah captured two Israeli soldiers in a cross-border raid on July 12.

At least 759 people have been killed in Lebanon during the war. Hizbollah has killed 58 Israeli soldiers and 36 civilians.

The ITA said the decision to cancel the event was taken after Sony Ericsson WTA Tour CEO Larry Scott wrote to them informing them that under the circumstances, the event could not be held.

''Regrettably, the current situation in the Middle East does not afford the required level of security. We will therefore not be able to hold the forthcoming tournament in October,'' Scott wrote.

Scott added that the 2007 tournament remained on the calendar and would be held as planned.

REUTERS DH RK0258