Tournament Preview: Acapulco 27 Feb - 4 March 2006 ABIERTO MEXICANO TELCEL 2006 South & Central America's "Golden Swing" reaches its culmination with the joint ATP/WTA Gold Series event in Acapulco. This year sees the men's field headed by Argentine world number 4, David Nalbandian. After recently sustaining an injury that forced him out of his home tournament in Buenos Aires, Nalbandian is hoping to make his recovery in Mexico and win his first title for 2006. Last year's Masters Cup winner, he also reached the semifinals of the Australian Open and is a consistent player on all surfaces. He is also joined by fellow top-10 compatriots, world number 7, Guillermo Coria and world number 9, Gaston Gaudio. Both are accomplished claycourters looking to improve on their 2006 form. Buenos Aires finalist, Filippo Volandri has also proven he is strong on clay, as has the man who beat him in the final, Carlos Moya. The 1998 French Open champion has an impressive claycourt record, including 2 Acapulco titles in 2002 and 2004. Other Latin American hopes will be resting on Argentine, José Acasuso, often an underestimated player on this surface, but recent singles and doubles winner in Viña del Mar; Juan Ignacio Chela; Agustin Calleri and Olympic gold medalist, Nicolas Massu; Luis Horna; Juan Monaco and Flavio Saretta, among others. Another player to watch is Serbian, Boris Pashanski. Often known as the "challenger king" for his great performances in challenger tournaments, he has now graduated to main level events and has recently reached the quarterfinals in both Viña del Mar, Buenos Aires and Costa do Sauipe. Triple Roland Garros champion, Gustavo Kuerten, has also been granted a wildcard to play, as has Mexican, Santiago Gonzalez. The qualifying will be on Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 February at 10am. Daily play from Monday to Thursday starts at 11am, with Friday's action getting underway at 1pm and Saturday's doubles final at 2pm and singles final at 6.30pm. The main draw will be made on Sunday 26 February at 1pm. Tickets may be purchased through Ticketmaster on 5325 9000 or Mextenis on 2167 3121, or for more information, visit the tournament site. The event itself is held at The Fairmont Acapulco Princess resort, which also houses the official hotel. Acapulco is a vibrant Mexican city with great beaches, nightlife and recreational activities on offer. Travel-Acapulco.com has all you need to know to plan your time there, as well as some helpful hints and tips to make sure your experience at the Abierto Mexicano Telcel is one to enjoy! Tournament Fast Facts: Venue: The Fairmont Acapulco Princess, Acapulco, Mexico Dates: 25 February - 4 March 2006 Singles Qualifying draw: 16 Main Draw Singles: 32 Main Draw Doubles: 16 Surface: Outdoor clay Prize money: US$690 000 Tournament Director: Raúl Zurutuza Main Draw Entry List: Nalbandian, David ARG Coria, Guillermo ARG Gaudio, Gaston ARG Volandri, Filippo ITA Moya, Carlos ESP Serra, Florent FRA Acasuso, Jose ARG Martin, Alberto ESP Chela, Juan Ignacio ARG Calleri, Agustin ARG Massu, Nicolas CHI Montanes, Albert ESP Berlocq, Carlos ARG Pashanski, Boris SCG Horna, Luis PER Monaco, Juan ARG Saretta, Flavio BRA Behrend, Tomas GER Lapentti, Nicolas ECU Daniel, Marcos BRA Dlouhy, Lukas CZE Vanek, Jiri CZE Kim, Kevin USA Minar, Ivo CZE (WC) Gonzalez, Santiago MEX (WC) Kuerten, Gustavo BRA Alternates: Starace, Potito ITA Vicente, Fernando ESP Sabau, Razvan ROM Marin, Juan Antonio CRC Almagro, Nicolas ESP Hernandez, Oscar ESP Mazarakis, Vasilis GRE Portas, Albert ESP Ramirez Hidalgo, Ruben ESP Waske, Alexander GER Di Mauro, Alessio ITA Marach, Oliver AUT Qualifying: Starace, Potito ITA Vicente, Fernando ESP Marin, Juan Antonio CRC Almagro, Nicolas ESP Hernandez, Oscar ESP Sabau, Razvan ROM Portas, Albert ESP Mazarakis, Vasilis GRE Di Mauro, Alessio ITA Navarro Pastor, Ivan ESP Koellerer, Daniel AUT Del Potro, Juan Martin ARG Roitman, Sergio ARG Qualifying Alternates: Ventura, Santiago ESP Aldi, Francesco ITA Brzezicki, Juan Pablo ARG Armando, Hugo USA Junqueira, Diego ARG Fraile, Gorka ESP Fruttero, John Paul USA Silva, Julio BRA Hartfield, Diego ARG Vassallo Arguello, Martin ARG Gonzalez, Maximo ARG Fleishman, Zack USA Russell, Michael USA Cuadrado, Carlos ESP Lopez, Marc ESP Eitzinger, Rainer AUT Mirnegg, Marco AUT