Open de Moselle - Metz Tournament

[Elisabeth]

Metz Tournament

Place: Metz, France
Date: October 2-8, 2006
Draw Size: 32
Surface: Indoor Hard
Prize Money: €302,000
Tournament Director: Patrice Dominguez
www.opendemoselle.com

Defending champion: I Ljubicic

Official Player Acceptance List:

Ferrer, David ESP 13
Hrbaty, Dominik SVK 22
Djokovic, Novak SCG 23
Verdasco, Fernando ESP 25
Acasuso, Jose ARG 27 ;D
Gasquet, Richard FRA 28
Calleri, Agustin ARG 32
Bjorkman, Jonas SWE 33
Grosjean, Sébastien FRA 34
Chela, Juan Ignacio ARG 35
Malisse, Xavier BEL 39
Massu, Nicolas CHI 40
Soderling, Robin SWE 41
Serra, Florent FRA 44
Clement, Arnaud FRA 46
Santoro, Fabrice FRA 49 ;D ;D
Martin, Alberto ESP 50
Benneteau, Julien FRA 51
Youzhny, Mikhail RUS 54 ;D
Sanguinetti, Davide ITA 56
Ramirez Hidalgo, Ruben ESP 57
Mayer, Florian GER 58
Mathieu, Paul-Henri FRA 59

Wild Card:

Marat Safin RUS
Juan Carlos Ferrero ESP
Marc Gicquel FRA






Draw

(1)Ferrer-Gicquel
Sanguinetti-Garcia Lopez
Santoro-Mathieu
Serra-(8)Soderling

(4)Youzhny-Safin
Melzer-Montanes
Fish-Q
Ramirez Hidalgo-(7)Verdasco

(6)Hrbaty-Q
Patience-Q
Bracciali-Kohlschreiber
Mahut-(3)Djokovic

(5)Gasquet-Q
Malisse-Clement
Mayer-Grosjean
Benneteau-(2)Ferrero

[Elisabeth]

Gerard Tsobonian, Marat's manager interview:
French article in our local newspaper "Républicain Lorrain"

"Why is he coming in Metz?"

"Didn't u know that Marat is a big fan of the region (Moselle)!. He once ate a mirabelle plum, telling us it was tastier than vodka. (lol)"
The russian told this team, he wanted to play more matches after being injured so much and losing points.
"He haven't play much and needs to play. He knows his tennis is coming back. He doesn't want a break now, he is ready to play".
"Marat doesn't care about the prize money. He has enough money for the rest of his life. He is only looking for matches on indoor courts. I proposed him to go to Metz , he first hesitated because he knew he was in Bangkok the week before but then, he accepted."
"He isn't coming here to win a few matches but to win the tournament. At this stage, he only needs confidence. Believe me, he won't come here to play the first round. He will try his best to finish the season in a better position and be ready for 2007."
"Also Marat loves France and knows that people like him there".

[carole]

thanks a ot for that article, sounds great !

[Elisabeth]

Patrice Dominguez's tournament director :
RL interview 21/09/06

"Marat is the most incredible player I met. He is one of the bigger challengers on tour with Federer and Nadal. All tournaments wish Marat Safin is in their draw. He wanted to play more matches in order to be ready for Madrid and Paris. After his injury, he needed to play. This is an unique occasion for us..."

[carole]

I really hope he's going to do great! Hope too for a good draw...

[Elisabeth]

Yes, me too. I'm living in Metz and I can tell u that all newspaper are expecting a lot from Marat. When they announced he was coming...he was everywhere..radio, tv.. ;D
I've got tickets for 1/4...praying to see him play.

[Annie]

Have tons of fun Liz ;D ;D ;D And thanks for all the info

[Annie]

Ily I deleted the other thread since there were replies here already...thanks anyway sweetie

[Elisabeth]

admin said:

Have tons of fun Liz ;D ;D ;D And thanks for all the info

Thx u ;D If by any chance, I see our guy, I'll do my best to take pics! ;D

[Chachou]

The draw is out: www.atptennis.com/en/common/TrackIt.asp?file=http://www.atptennis.com/1/posting/2006/341/mds.pdf

Marat'll meet Mikhaïl Youzhny in the first round

[marats]

Great to read that he will play next week !
But vs Misha ............. great ...... difficult ?

[Annie]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO WHY WHY WHY WHY WHYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY ?

[lau]

Elisabeth I edited the the first post to include the draw...
So, draw posted in first post people

[edible]

Draw in picture format. I think Marat's draw is pretty good. Mikhail's definitely beatable, then Melzer/Montanes second round, Verdasco QF, possible Santoro showdown in SF, etc.



When you look at the other side of the draw, Marat is very lucky to be in the other side. Come on, Gasquet, Hrbaty, Clement, Djokovic, Ferrero, Grosjean, Malisse...

Hmm, I hope this doesn't mean that Marat "won't try" and lose in the first round.

[Elisabeth]