The mishmash of mostly-non-Olympic participants on the red clay this week in
Sopot, Poland, are led by seeds
Marat Safin,
Nikolay Davydenko,
David Ferrer,
Igor Andreev, Spaniards Al Martin, Rafael "The Prodigy" Nadal, Al Montanes, and Frenchman Paul-Henri Mathieu. First round matches of nominal interest are (1)Safin vs. Spaniard "Julio &" Galo Blanco, (5)A.Martin vs. Juan "The Tax Haven" Monaco, the Spaniard (3)Ferrer vs. countryman qualifier Guillermo Garcia-Lopez, and (7)Montanes vs. Spanish veteran qualifier Felix Mantilla.
In last year's final,
Guillermo Coria (currently injured) beat Ferrer.
Jose Acasuso (2001) is the lone returning champ in the field.
On court Monday at Sopot are Garcia vs. (2)Davydenko, (WC)Urban vs. Rosset, (WC)Kubot vs. (4)Andreev, Juan "The Tax Haven" Monaco vs. A.Martin, Koubek vs. (8)Mathieu, Olivier "Mucus" Mutis vs. Ramirez Hidalgo, and Ulihrach vs. (Q)Vanek.
