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China Open releases Main Draw Entry List
(chinaopen.com.cn)
Updated: 2009-09-13 17:23

China Open releases Main Draw Entry List

The China Open Organizing Committee announced the main draw entry list for China Open 2009 in Beijing on September 7, 2009.

The main draw players (both male and female) entered before the sport entry deadline through rankings are all among the world top 50 players. As the highest level combined tennis event in Asia, China Open 2009 attracts a great number of stars that could even match with a grand slam. Chinese fans will be so lucky to enjoy the highest level tennis performance right in China.

China Open will host both men's and women's events like the four grand slams. Its women's event is the last stop of the four WTA crown jewel events. All the world top 47 woman players are included in women's main draw list. On the other hand, its men's event is one of the ATP 500 series. 18 of the world top 30 players are among the men's main draw list, including Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Andy Roddick, Nikolay Davydenko, Fernando Verdasco, Fernando Gonzalez and Robin Soderling.

There are altogether 60 main draw places for women's event. The top 47 players entered before the entry deadline at the end of August qualified China Open directly. 5 places are reserved for Chinese players and overseas players who made special contribution to the development of tennis. The last 8 places are from the qualifying event held prior to the main draw match. 3 Chinese players are entered through world ranking. They are Li Na, Zheng Jie and Peng Shuai.

As the only combined tennis event in Asia, China Open has a very impressive main draw on the man’s side. There are altogether 32 main draw places. 25 will be entered according to rankings, and there are 3 wildcard places and 4 qualifying places. The 25 players entered through ranking are among the world top 45, and 18 of them ranked among the top 30. 5 of the world top 10 players will participate in China Open. They are Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Andy Roddick, Nikolay Davydenko, Fernando Verdasco. Fernando Gonzalez, Robin Soderling, Tommy Robredo, and David Ferrer (all ranked among the top 20) also chose to take part in China Open. Together with Marin Cilic who qualified by wildcard, half of the world top 20 players will show up at China Open.

On the women's side, the first wild card goes to Belgium player, former world No. 1,Kim Clijsters. On the men's side Marin Cilic from Croatia, Marat Safin from Russia, and Marcos Baghdatis from Cyprus received the three wild cards. All the past champions at China Open since 2004 are most likely to meet again at China Open.

Marat Safin had confirmed to hold his retirement ceremony at China Open. He expressed his affection and gratitude for China Open in his letter to the Chinese fans: "I had great experience at China Open last time I was there, and to win the champion at China Open is very important moment for me as well. I am very happy I will be back to Beijing this October to participate the first year of newly upgrade China Open, I would like to invite you all come and witness this great tournament with me at Olympic Stadium. And I also like you all be there and spend one of my memorable time with me at China Open."

"Marat Safin has several options to hold his retirement ceremony after the US Open, including Beijing, Shanghai, Paris and Moscow," said the player manager of China Open Organizing Committee, "and yet he chose China Open to bid farewell to all his fans around the world." Safin means a lot to China Open and China Open also witnessed Safin achieving his best accomplishments. To bid farewell at China Open is to show his gratitude for his fans in China and in Asia. Fighting in the same stadium with his sister Safina undoubted means something special for him, noted the manager.