Tournament Preview: Costa do Sauipe 18 - 25 February 2006

BRASIL OPEN 2006

Many people may not have heard of Costa do Sauipe, however for tennis fans, it means one thing: the Brasil Open. Previously 
held in September, the tournament now forms part of South America's "Golden" Swing in February. Last year it marked the 
first of Rafael Nadal's 11 title wins for the season and, though Nadal will not be here this year, plenty of other stars 
of the game will be in action. The 2006 field comprises of 4 French Open champions and 1 finalist and is headed by 
Argentine, Guillermo Coria. Unable to perform well in his home tournament in Buenos Aires last week, the experienced clay 
courter will want to improve his results on his favourite surface in Brazil. His compatriot, and the man who beat him in 
the final of Roland Garros 2004, Gaston Gaudio, will also be making a return to the circuit after a few weeks off with 
injury. 2003 Roland Garros champion, Juan Carlos Ferrero of Spain will also be heading down to Brazil in an attempt to 
continue his rise in the rankings that started last year after a nightmare 2004. Home favourite and triple French Open 
champion, Gustavo Kuerten, is also hoping to make an appearance, though there is an injury cloud over him after he was 
forced to withdraw from the Buenos Aires tournament last week. 1998 Roland Garros champion and Spanish veteran, Carlos 
Moya, has also be awarded a wildcard into the tournament after he decided to play at the last minute. 

Other players of note are Frenchman, Florent Serra, who has had an astronomical rise up the rankings after winning 
Bucharest in September and Adelaide in January. Argentine, José Acasuso, is also enjoying a sunny spot in his career after 
triumphing in both singles and doubles in Viña del Mar, as well as making a highly successful Davis Cup debut in Buenos 
Aires. Always a dangerous player on clay, he is definitely in with a chance in Costa do Sauipe. Chilean Nicolas Massu, who 
won the gold medal in Athens, is another ironman of the tour and will be hungry for a tournament win in South America. 
Another local Brazillian players, Flavio Saretta and Ricardo Mello, will also be in action, the latter of whom has received 
a wildcard. With one of its best fields yet, the Brasil Open will definitely be a battle of the claycourt specialists.

Qualifying runs on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 February and costs between R$10-15. Main draw starts on Monday 20 February at 
2.30pm, with the night session commencing at 6.30pm. Semifinals on Friday start at 6.30pm and final will be held on 
Saturday 25 February. The main draw will be made on Saturday (18 Feb) evening. An average daily ticket will cost around 
R$50, and may be purchased online, by phone (11) 2163-2000, or through Show Ticket do Shopping Iguatemi in São Paulo or 
Ticketmix in Salvador. More detailed information (in Portuguese only) can be found on the official site. The tennis centre 
has 15 floodlit courts and has even been used by Roger Federer as a training base. Whether you're in the Costa do Sauipe 
for a relaxing holiday or purely as a tennis fan, it is guaranteed to take your breath away. For more information on this 
beautiful part of the world, visit its official site (http://www.costadosauipe.com.br/index.php?idioma=2).


Tournament Fast Facts:

Venue: Costa do Sauipe Tennis Centre, Costa do Sauipe, Brazil
Dates: 18 - 25 February 2006
Singles Qualifying draw: 32 
Main Draw Singles: 32
Main Draw Doubles: 16 
Surface: Outdoor clay
Prize money: US$355 000
Tournament Director: Fernando von Oertzen


Main Draw Entry List:

Coria, Guillermo ARG 
Gaudio, Gaston ARG 
Ferrero, Juan Carlos ESP 
Kuerten, Gustavo BRA 
Volandri, Filippo ITA 
Serra, Florent FRA 
Acasuso, Jose ARG 
Chela, Juan Ignacio ARG  
Martin, Alberto ESP  
Calleri, Agustin ARG  
Massu, Nicolas CHI 
Montanes, Albert ESP  
Berlocq, Carlos ARG 
Pashanski, Boris SCG 
Zabaleta, Mariano ARG 
Horna, Luis PER 
Monaco, Juan ARG 
Saretta, Flavio BRA 
Behrend, Tomas GER 
Daniel, Marcos BRA  
Dlouhy, Lukas CZE 
Starace, Potito ITA 
Vanek, Jiri CZE  
(SE) 
(SE) 
(WC) Moya, Carlos ESP
(WC) Mello, Ricardo BRA
(WC) 


Alternates:

Kim, Kevin USA  
Vicente, Fernando ESP 
Sabau, Razvan ROM 
Marin, Juan Antonio CRC 
Garcia-Lopez, Guillermo ESP 
Almagro, Nicolas ESP 
Hernandez, Oscar ESP 
Mazarakis, Vasilis GRE  
Portas, Albert ESP 
Ramirez Hidalgo, Ruben ESP  
Di Mauro, Alessio ITA 
Marach, Oliver AUT 
Mello, Ricardo BRA