YOU can bet on it. The dazzling Montecasino gaming and pleasure resort in the north of Johannesburg will again be the venue for the R3,5million South African Open from February 1 to 7 next year.

YOU can bet on it. The dazzling Montecasino gaming and pleasure resort in the north of Johannesburg will again be the venue for the R3,5million South African Open from February 1 to 7 next year.

Though initially mooted as a three-year deal when the South African Open was successfully restored to a position on the ATP's high-profile circuit this year after an absence of 13 years, the turbulent international financial climate had resulted in a measure of uneasiness over the venue for next year's tournament.

"But I'm delighted to say that Montecasino are fully committed to the event," South African Tennis Association chief executive Ian Smith said on Tuesday while expressing the hope that the 2010 tournament would be "even bigger and better".

This year's event attracted players of the calibre of eventual winner Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, David Ferrer, Marcos Baghdatis, and runner-up Jeremy Chardy. - Sapa