WASHINGTON, March 27 (Xinhua) -- The ATP board has announced that Shanghai will be the site of a Masters Series tournament starting in 2009.

Shanghai has hosted the men's season-ending Tennis Masters Cup of the men's tour three times, and it will be held there in 2007-08 before moving to a new location.

"China is a major growth market for tennis and it is vital for the sport to have premium events in its major cities, ideally on a continuing basis," ATP executive chairman and president Etienne de Villiers said.

The WTA declared on the same day that the China Open will be promoted to a Tier I tournament which will last nine days since 2009.

The WTA Tour also announced a prize-money increase and stiffer penalties for players who skip mandatory events. Top-10 players failing to play at tournaments as required will be subject to suspensions and larger fines than in the past.