Ljubicic, Nalbandian, Roddick Headline ATP Vienna
Posted on October 9, 2006Seven of the Top 10 players compete at the three events on the ATP Tour this week, where the BA-CA Tennis Trophy at Vienna pulls in the premier field featuring Top 10ers Ivan Ljubicic, David Nalbandian, US Open runner-up Andy Roddick, and fan favorite Marcos Baghdatis of Cyprus.
Other seeded players are Chilean Fernando "Gonzo" Gonzalez, former No. 2-ranked Tommy Haas, former No. 1 Juan Carlos Ferrero, and future Serb star Novak Djokovic.
Nalbandian will open against Argentine countryman Juan Ignacio Chela, Roddick against Argentine Jose Acasuso, and Ferrero against the hot-handed Jurgen Melzer.
Potential quarterfinal meetings are Ljubicic vs. Djokovic, Baghdatis vs. Haas, Ferrero vs. Roddick, and Nalbandian vs. Gonzalez.
Ljubicic is the defending champ, last year edging Ferrero 6-2, 6-4, 7-6(5) in the final.
According to the Vienna tournament website, "Up until noon on Friday there was still a small question mark about the tremendous line-up for Austria's biggest tennis tournament namely the participation of the colourful Cypriot, Marcos Baghdatis.
The all-clear was still hanging in the balance following a shoulder injury that forced him to forego participation in Tokyo. One by one, confirmation came in from the remaining stars: from Andy Roddick, who announced his arrival for Monday and sent his equipment man, Glenn Flint, ahead, and from Masters champ, David Nalbandian, who is set to arrive on Saturday. Others are already in Vienna. Reigning champ, Ivan Ljubicic and Trophy victor 2001, Tommy Haas have already become familiar with the new Opti-Court. Tournament director, Peter Feigl feels "a sense of delight," but is still "hurt" by Nadal's cancellation last year."
Other seeded players are Chilean Fernando "Gonzo" Gonzalez, former No. 2-ranked Tommy Haas, former No. 1 Juan Carlos Ferrero, and future Serb star Novak Djokovic.
Nalbandian will open against Argentine countryman Juan Ignacio Chela, Roddick against Argentine Jose Acasuso, and Ferrero against the hot-handed Jurgen Melzer.
Potential quarterfinal meetings are Ljubicic vs. Djokovic, Baghdatis vs. Haas, Ferrero vs. Roddick, and Nalbandian vs. Gonzalez.
Ljubicic is the defending champ, last year edging Ferrero 6-2, 6-4, 7-6(5) in the final.
According to the Vienna tournament website, "Up until noon on Friday there was still a small question mark about the tremendous line-up for Austria's biggest tennis tournament namely the participation of the colourful Cypriot, Marcos Baghdatis.
The all-clear was still hanging in the balance following a shoulder injury that forced him to forego participation in Tokyo. One by one, confirmation came in from the remaining stars: from Andy Roddick, who announced his arrival for Monday and sent his equipment man, Glenn Flint, ahead, and from Masters champ, David Nalbandian, who is set to arrive on Saturday. Others are already in Vienna. Reigning champ, Ivan Ljubicic and Trophy victor 2001, Tommy Haas have already become familiar with the new Opti-Court. Tournament director, Peter Feigl feels "a sense of delight," but is still "hurt" by Nadal's cancellation last year."