ATP Auckland preview
/dnl.eurosport.com/sd/img/placeholder/eurosport_logo_1x1.png){kind=logo}
ByEurosport
Published 11/01/2004 at 16:37 GMT
In 2004, the Auckland Tennis Centre, plays host to some big-name players, each hoping to add a big win to their resumes, one week prior to the first Grand Slam of the year in Melbourne. Eurosport.com review three star attractions of the New Zealand showca
Eurosport
Image credit: Eurosport
Guillermo Coria (Argentina)
With sixth title to his name, Coria head to Auckland as the world number five and the tournaments top seed on the back of a breakthrough year in 2003.
The first player to end in the world's top five since Guillermo Vilas, the 21-year-old begins his campaign against Germany's Nicolas Kiefer, who's on the comeback trail after injury.
Gustavo Kuerten (Brazil)
The defending champion from Florianopolis returns as the tournaments third seed.
After a resurgent season in 2003, Kuerten finished the year ranked 15th in the world, with singles titles in Auckland and St Petersburg to his name.
The three-time French Open champion begins his defence in a tricky first round encounter against wildcard Alex Corretja of Spain.
Rafael Nadal (Spain)
If you haven't heard about this 17-year-old Mallorcan you've been living in a cave for the past eight months.
The Mallorcan left-hander finished the year in the top 100 for the first time in his career and becmae the youngest player to reach the third round at Wimbledon since Boris Becker in 1984.
Despite last week's opening round defeat in Chennai to Thierry Ascione of France he advanced to the doubles final with fellow Spaniard Tommy Robredo.
Scan me
Related Topics
Share this article
Advertisement
Advertisement