Heineken Open Main Draw Preview
The first round of the Heineken Open starting on Monday looks set to be a thriller with a number of great matches including a replay of a classic semifinal from 2006.
Current champ Jarkko Nieminen has drawn Oliver Rochus in the first round. In 2006 they played perhaps the best ever match seen at the tournament in the semis with Nieminen prevailing in three sets.
Third seed David Ferrer faces former French Open winner Gaston Gaudio in a battle between two of the world's best clay courters while another former Roland Garros winner, Juan Carlos Ferrero plays Athens gold medalist Nicolas Massu of Chile.
Top seed Tommy Robredo takes on fellow Spaniard Ruben Ramirez Hidalgo while last year's runner-up and second seed Mario Ancic faces a qualifier.
Also facing a qualifier is New Zealand's only entrant Dan King-Turner and two-time former champ, Dominik Hrbaty will also have a Tuesday start as he has drawn a qualifier too.
Two potential thrillers see Juan Martin Del Potro taking on seventh seed Agustin Calleri, while Nicolas Almagro faces Stanislas Wawrinka. French wildcard Gael Monfils plays Spaniard Alberto Martin with the winner up against Robredo or Ramirez Hidalgo in the second round.
For more details please contact:
Graham Pearce – Heineken Open tournament director – 021 675 005
Or
Dave Worsley – Heineken Open media manager – 021 365 224
