CINCINNATI, OH, USA - Western & Southern Financial Group, title sponsor of the Western & Southern Open since 2002, has extended its multimillion-dollar deal with the tournament three more years through 2014.

"The Western & Southern Open is a world-class event that brings national and international recognition and incredibly positive economic impact to Cincinnati," said John F. Barrett, President, Chairman and CEO of the Western & Southern Financial Group. "We're proud to continue our title sponsorship and help keep this terrific tournament such a valuable part of our community."

Title sponsor benefits include tournament naming rights, court signage and television broadcast elements. In recent years, the company has launched various popular fan-inclusive innovations, including fans winning the chance to flip the coin on court before a match and fans getting the opportunity to receive an autograph from a star player face to face.

"Western & Southern has been a true partner of the event for more than a decade," said tournament Chief Executive Officer Elaine Bruening. "It's a perfect marriage between an iconic Cincinnati company and our historic event, first played here in 1899."

The event is the nation's oldest professional tennis tournament still played in its original city. The USTA is a majority owner of the Western & Southern Open, which is one of only five tournaments, not including the Grand Slams, to host a top-tier men's and women's event during the same week at the same venue. That venue, the Lindner Family Tennis Center 20 miles north of Cincinnati in Mason, Ohio, is in the final year of a three-year, $24 million expansion.

"The Western & Southern Open is the marquee event during the Emirates Airline US Open Series, which brings the biggest names in the game to a passionate tennis audience," said Gordon Smith, USTA Chief Operating Officer and Executive Director. "With such an active and committed title sponsor in Western & Southern, this great tournament is poised for even more success in the years to come."

Tickets for the 2012 event, to be played August 11-19, can be purchased at www.cincytennis.com. Maria Sharapova is the defending women's champion and Andy Murray is the defending men's champion.