Sentence examples for champion will open from inspiring English sources

Martina Hingis, the top-seeded woman and a three-time champion, will open against Katalin Marosi-Aracama of Hungary.

The Yankees, the defending American League East champions, will open the 2003 season in Toronto on March 31 and play their home opener April 7 against the defending Central champion Minnesota Twins.

The defending champions will open the finals Tuesday night in New Jersey.

The defending Stanley Cup champions will open a three-game homestand Sunday against Washington.

The Baltimore Ravens, the defending Super Bowl champions, will open the season on the road because the N.F.L. and Major League Baseball could not work out a scheduling conflict with the Baltimore Orioles.

And the Blue Devils, the defending national champions, will open the N.C.A.A. tournament Friday in Charlotte, N.C., against Hampton as the No. 1 seed in the West Region and on the short list of serious contenders for the title once again.

Defending champion Mexico will open the tournament, which it has won a record six times, against Panama at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., as the second game of a doubleheader (Canada faces Martinique in the opener).

Defending champion Andy Murray will open play on Centre Court against Belgian David Goffin as Wimbledon gets under way on Monday.

Tradition dictates that reigning champion Federer will open play on Centre Court on Monday, meaning both Murray and Nadal will also be in action on a packed first day that includes Maria Sharapova and Victoria Azarenka.

Champions Leinster will open their hat-trick bid at home to Exeter Chiefs.

And champions Lancashire will open the season to Abu Dhabi for the curtain-raiser against the MCC on 27 March.