Start Me Up - Heineken Highlights 2004
Day one of the 2004 Heineken Open is set to feature the first of several
tough contests. And that's just the first round of the Vodafone
singles.
The day commences at 11am with regular visitor Jan-Michael Gambill
playing Spaniard David Sanchez.
"It's great to be here," said Gambill "It's the first time it's been
fine weather for two days in a row," he joked. "I've played here more
than any other tournament (six times), I'm going to have to take the
ball to him (Sanchez) if I want to win."
Second seed and 13th ranked Jiri Novak won the Heineken Open in 1996
beating Brett Steven in a night final. He has a grand record in
Auckland, winning once and making the semis another time.
"I come to this tournament because it is where my heart is. I won my
first title (he has five in total) here in 1996. I think it's a very
tough draw in the first round," says Novak.
2004 will be his sixth appearance at the tournament but he is up against
the 55th ranked Xavier Malisse of Belgium who is a former semifinalist
at Wimbledon.
Top seed and world number five Guillermo Coria from Argentina plays the
evening singles against former world number four Nicolas Kiefer of
Germany who at his peak in 2000 reached the quarters at both the
Australian and US Open.
Coria, who turns 22 tomorrow got married two weeks ago. Will his
marriage be a distraction against the hard-training German? Tonight will
be a test of character for both players.
