CORIA BACK FOR UNFINISHED BUSINESS
November 3rd, 2004
Roland Garros finalist and current world No5, Guillermo Coria is returning to the Heineken Open to finish off what he started earlier this year.
The Argentine was forced to withdraw in the second round of the Vodafone singles at this year’s event. As top seed Coria beat Nicolas Kiefer in the first round in straight sets and was to face Dominik Hrbaty but a stomach strain forced him to pull out of the tournament.
He has now been confirmed to make another appearance at the ASB BANK Tennis Centre and will no doubt be encouraged by another large South American band of supporters.
Coria will also be pilling up the airpoints as he flies from Argentina to Perth for the Hopman Cup and then to Auckland for the Heineken Open and then to Melbourne for the Australian Open.
“Guillermo made a commitment to come back when he had to withdraw early at the Heineken Open this year,” says Heineken Open tournament director, Graham Pearce.
Currently ranked at No5 on the ATP championship race he has just been confirmed for the Tennis Masters Cup to be held in Houston next week. Earlier this year he was ranked as high as No3 in the world.
His record in 2004 includes two titles - Buenos Aires and the Tennis Masters event at Monte Carlo.
He was a finalist four other events (Miami, Hamburg, Roland Garros, ‘s-Hertogenbosch) as well as making the quarters of Indian Wells.
His big coup for the year was at Roland Garros where he reached his first grand slam final (the previous year he had been a semifinalist) defeating Carlos Moya in the quarters and Tim Henman in the semis before losing to countryman Gaston Gaudio in five gripping sets 6-0 6-3 4-6 1-6 6-8 in the final.
Although most comfortable on clay Coria has plenty of ability on hard court having made the fourth round of the Australian Open last year and the quarters of the US Open the same year.
“At No5 in the world it’s a real plus for the tournament to have such a high ranking player returning and is a fascinating player to watch with his use of angles and touch,” say Pearce.
Tennis was always going to be a big part of Coria’s life as he began playing the sport soon after learning to walk when his father, Oscar, a tennis coach who introduced game to him. He also named after former Argentine great Guillermo Vilas.
The Heineken Open featuring the Vodafone singles and doubles will be held January 10-15 at the ASB BANK Tennis Centre, Tennis Lane, Parnell with qualifying January 8-9.
Tickets go on sale for the Heineken Open, Monday, November 22.
For more details please contact:
Graham Pearce – Heineken Open tournament director – 021 675 005
Or
Dave Worsley – Heineken Open media manager – 021 679 096
www.heinekenopen.co.nz
