Tournament preview: Auckland 7-14 January 2006 HEINEKEN OPEN 2006 Many people think the beginning of the tennis season is all about Australia, however, New Zealand also plays host to an ATP event in the lead-up to its neighbour's Grand Slam. The Heineken Open takes place annually during the second week of January and always attracts several top players. In 2005, Chilean Fernando Gonzalez beat Belgium's Oliver Rochus 6-4 6-2. Both Gonzalez and Rochus will be returning in 2006, with the Chilean heading the list with his world number 11 ranking. Since triumphing in Auckland last year, Gonzalez had one of this best seasons ever, culminating in a surprise appearance at the Masters Cup in Shanghai when he was called to step in as the alternate. Joining him will be Spain's David Ferrer who is also coming in off a fantastic 2005 in which he made the top 20 for the first time in his career and came agonisingly close to cracking the top 10. Although he did not win a title, he was the finalist at his home tournament of Valencia, made the semifinals of the Miami and Rome Masters and the quarter finals at the Paris, Monte Carlo and Madrid Masters as well as at Roland Garros. He will most definitely be looking to continue his good form into the new season and win the title in Auckland. American Robby Ginepri, ranked just behind Ferrer at 16 also enjoyed a breakthrough year in 2005 with the standour performance coming at the US Open where he made the semifinals losing a tight match to Andre Agassi. He was also a semifinalist at the Cincinnati and Madrid Masters and won the title in Indianapolis. Dominik Hrbaty is a self-confessed fan of New Zealand, whether its the Lord of the Rings movies or collecting New Zealand coins, he has always had a passion for the Land of the Long White Cloud. The entry list would be incomplete without him and he is returning once again in 2006. Promising Croat, Mario Ancic, will also be heading to Auckland fresh from winning the Davis Cup for this country in December. Sometimes branded as erratic, he will be hoping to put in a good performance here in the lead-up to the Australian Open. Other notable acceptances include Spaniards Feliciano Lopez and Alberto Martín and rising young British star, Andy Murray, who reached the Bangkok final in 2005 losing only to Federer. The wildcards for the tournament have been awarded to Australian, Mark Philippoussis; local player, Mark Nielsen; and the winner of the playoff tournament, which is yet to be decided. The 2006 Heineken Open is well and truly open and up for grabs. With an exceptional field including 4 players in the top 20, it is bound to be a great event. Will Gonzalez be able to defend his title? Will the new kids on the block, Ferrer, Ginepri and Ancic, be able to challenge him? Will Hrbaty triumph once again in his favourite country? Or will we get a completely unexpected champion? The qualifying will take place on Saturday 7 January and Sunday 8 January at More FM North Harbour Tennis Stadium. Main draw action will get underway on Monday 9 January at the ASB Bank Tennis Centre in Tennis Lane, Parnell. The final will take place on Saturday 14 January. Monday to Thursday have day sessions starting at 11am and night sessions starting at 7pm. Friday's action starts at midday and the finals on Saturday will commence at 1pm. The official player hotel is The Heritage Auckland. Tickets may be purchased through Ticketek, either online http://www.ticketek.com/ or by calling 64 9 307 5000. Individual daily and night sessions tickets range from $22 to $80. For more detailed ticketing details, visit the official site http://www.atptennis.com/auckland/tickets.asp. Auckland itself is a vibrant harbour city in New Zealand's north island with plenty to offer the tourist, whether it's adventure, shopping or recreation. For more informaton on the city, visit the official tournament site http://www.atptennis.com/auckland/citytravelinfo.asp and you will find everything you need to make your tennis experience in New Zealand one to remember. ** Tournament Fast Facts: ** Venue: ASB Bank Tennis Centre, Auckland, New Zealand Dates: 7 - 14 January 2006 Singles Qualifying: 32 draw Main Draw Singles: 32 Main Draw Doubles: 16 Surface: Outdoor Rebound Ace Prize money: US $401 000 Tournament Director: Graham Pearce ** Main Draw Entry List: ** Gonzalez, Fernando CHI Ferrer, David ESP Ginepri, Robby USA Hrbaty, Dominik SVK Ancic, Mario CRO Rochus, Olivier BEL Nieminen, Jarkko FIN Lopez, Feliciano ESP Volandri, Filippo ITA Acasuso, Jose ARG Rochus, Christophe BEL Martin, Alberto ESP Wawrinka, Stanislas SUI Baghdatis, Marcos CYP Beck, Karol SVK Zib, Tomas CZE Carlsen, Kenneth DEN Vik, Robin CZE Murray, Andy GBR Moodie, Wesley RSA Massu, Nicolas CHI Pavel, Andrei ROM Goldstein, Paul USA 26 (WC) Philippoussis, Mark AUS 27 (WC) Nielsen, Mark NZL 28 (WC) winner of playoff tournament ** Alternates: ** Bracciali, Daniele ITA Montañés, Albert ESP Lapentti, Nicolas ECU Mayer, Florian GER Minar, Ivo CZE Hernych, Jan CZE Spadea, Vincent USA Behrend, Tomas GER Muller, Gilles LUX Berlocq, Carlos ARG Pashanski, Boris SCG Zabaleta, Mariano ARG Horna, Luis PER Phau, Bjorn GER Monaco, Juan ARG