Lopez Takes Euro Series Lead After Vienna Title

"I'm unbelievable happy," said F-Lo upon realizing he was the new leader of the Euro Series standings -- or after winning the Vienna title, one or the other. "To win my first ATP title is very important because it's always more difficult to win your first."

French rookie Jerome Haehnel, who qualified and won his first career title at Metz last week, leapt into a tie for fifth behind Metz runner-up Richard Gasquet.

"I don't know what to say. I can't think at the moment," said Haehnel, probably realizing his sudden shot at finishing in the year-end Euro Series money. "This is great and unbelievable."

"Yes, both great and unbelievable," said Tennis-X CEO Luke Johnson. "There is currently $8.00 (USD) additional in the Euro Series Fund due to the generous donations of tennis fans who want to see the Euro Series succeed. We're just happy to see youngsters like Jerome Haehnel have an opportunity to share in the jackpot."

Also into the Top 10 this week are Moscow runner-up Greg Rusedski tied with Haehnel and Canas at No. 5, Russian Moscow semifinalist Mikhail Youzhny at No. 8, Xavier "X-Man" Malisse at No. 9, and Dominik "The Dominator" Hrbaty coming in at No. 10.

The 2004 Tennis-X Euro Series is a historic achievement in men's tennis that links the nine men's European indoor tournaments after the US Open leading to the year-ending Masters Cup, creating a cohesive, five-week European indoor season. Players will be competing for bonus prize money to be awarded at the end of the Euro Series and more importantly, the honor that goes with being crowned the Euro Series champion.

Remaining events are the Masters Series-Madrid (Spain) this week, three events next week at the Davidoff Swiss Indoors (Basel, Switzerland), the if...Stockholm Open (Sweden), and the St. Petersburg Open (Russia), and the final week at the Masters Series-Paris (France), all leading to the season-ending Masters Cup in Houston.

To see the updated Euro Series standings, go to www.tennis-x.com.