The 2009 Chinese Grand Prix is being moved up on the Formula One calender as the season's third race to avoid a clash of dates with the inaugural ATP Masters series in Shanghai.

The F1 Chinese Grand Prix will be held from April 17 to 19 this year after Australia (March 27-29) and Malaysia (April 3-5).

In the previous five years, Shanghai staged the event in September and October.

Motor racing's governing body, the FIA, made the changes as per the wish of the host country.

The ATP Masters series will be held in Shanghai from October 10 to 18. It will replace the year-ending Tennis Masters Cup, which the city has hosted for four straight years at the Qizhong Tennis Center.

London will host the coming editions of the Masters Cup from this year.

"Last year, just before the Chinese GP, we got the schedule for both the two events. We spoke to Bernie (Ecclestone) about the possibility of changing the dates for the Chinese GP ... Or else, the final of both the events would have been on the same date - October 18," said Yang Yibin, an official with Juss Event, a management company which handles both the Chinese GP and ATP series in Shanghai.

"Formula One has two legs in Asia in a season, which made the change possible. Changing the tennis dates would have meant moving the dates somewhere in January. It would be too cold to hold any matches," Yang said.

According to Juss Event, 40 percent of the Formula One fans in Shanghai are also avid followers of tennis as well.

"Moving the Chinese GP in Spring would warm the Chinese sports market and balances the two events," said Qiu Weichang, deputy chief of Shanghai Sports Bureau.

Ticket sells for the 2009 Chinese GP starts tomorrow.

The three-day ticket for the H and K stands on Turn 14 of the Shanghai Circuit will cost 1,980 yuan (US$289), down from 2,580 yuan, while tickets for the B stands on the first turn has been priced at 1,280 yuan and 980 yuan from its earlier 1,880 yuan.

Those buying tickets between January 8 to February 14 will enjoy a further 10 percent discount. Race day ticket prices have also been slashed.

The Chinese GP has set up a hotline - 962123 - for those looking for more information on ticket sales.

(Agencies via Shanghai Daily January 7, 2009)