Federer, Agassi Tap Big Oil Field at ATP Dubai

"B"-level seeds joining the big four are Spaniard Tommy "The R." Robredo, Russians Nikolay Davydenko and Mikhail Youzhny, and Croatian Ivan Ljubicic.

The numerous opening-round matches of note are former No. 1 Juan Carlos Ferrero vs. rising German Florian "Oscar" Mayer (winner to face (1) Federer), rockin' Moroccan Younes El Aynaoui in his comeback from a foot injury vs. Rainer "Shine" Schuettler, (7) Youzhny vs. Thomas "Tommy the J." Johansson, (4) Agassi vs. upset specialist Radek Stepanek, Paradorn "The Thai Fighter" Srichaphan vs. Feliciano "F-Lo" Lopez, (6) Davydenko vs. Fabrice "The Original Wizard" Santoro, (3) Henman vs. "Grinning" Greg Rusedski in an all-Brit, (5) Robredo vs. hot-handed Belgian Olivier "The Roach" Rochus, and (2) Safin vs. the former champ Nicolas Kiefer.

"I had a sneaking feeling that I would draw Tim when I heard he'd taken a wildcard," Rusedski told The Independent. "There's extra motivation to show who is the best player in Britain on the day."

Former champs in the field are the two-time defending champ Federer (2004-03), Santoro (2002), Ferrero (2001), and Kiefer (2000).

On court Monday in Doha are (5) Robredo vs. The Roach, (WC) Ferrero vs. Mayer, (4) Agassi vs. Stepanek, El Aynaoui vs. Schuettler, The Dominator vs. (WC) Bahrouzyan, (Q) Voltchkov vs. Fernando "Hot Sauce" Verdasco, and Berdych vs. Beck.