Tennis: Heineken top seeds show dedication

Robby Ginepri says the Auckland surface suits his game. Picture / Reuters

Fernando Gonzalez wasted no time in showing he means business.

The top seed and defending champion for next week's Heineken Open arrived in Auckland at 4 o'clock yesterday morning.

Within five hours he was on court for an hour-long practice and followed that with a further two-hour spell later in the day.

The popular Chilean, who won three times on the ATP Tour last year, is not alone in giving himself every chance on his first stop on this year's circuit.

Also on court at the ASB Bank Tennis Centre yesterday, again within hours of touching down, were second and third seeds David Ferrer (Spain) and American Robby Ginepri.

Unlike many of the 64 players who will play either weekend qualifying or in the main draw from Monday, the trio bypassed tournaments in Doha, Chennai and Adelaide this week.

"Preparation-wise, my build-up has been very good," said Ginepri, who was asked about his run at the US Open where he won three successive five-set matches before bowing out in a fourth to Andre Agassi in his first Grand Slam semifinal.

"I spent a week in a camp in Miami with 16 players which really helped," said Ginepri, who echoed the thoughts of many players in saying he always looked forward to his time in Auckland.

"The Rebound Ace courts here suit my game.

"This tournament gives me the chance to continue where I left off last year. Everyone plays better off confidence - especially me. It is important to win matches here as a lead-in to the Australian Open."

Gonzalez, who has won seven times on tour - with all but his win here on clay - said it was a pleasure to come back and defend a title which meant much to him.

"It is my fifth year in a row in Auckland," said Gonzalez.

"I had a short break after the Masters Cup in China but have been preparing well since."

Asked about his goals for the year, the world No 11 said that had not changed.

"There is only one - to be in the top eight," he said.

"I want to be in the Masters at the end of the year."

Free of injury, Gonzalez again hopes to feed off the support of the Chilean community who have supported "their" players so well in the past.

"The field is very strong but I have all the motivation [defending his title] I need to play well," said Gonzalez. "It is an honour to play here."

In a late change, world No 57 Karol Beck (Slovakia) has withdrawn.

His place in the main draw has been taken by Italian Daniele Bracciali.

First-round qualifying matches will be played today, with the eight second-round games tomorrow. All will be played at the More FM Tennis Centre.

The last four qualifying matches will be played at the tournament venue on Monday morning.

The main draw is scheduled to be made this afternoon.


Robby Ginepri
Born: October 7, 1982, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Lives: Marietta, Georgia
Height: 1.82m
Weight: 79kg
Turned Pro: 2001
Current ranking: 15
Singles Titles: 2
Prizemoney: US$1,880,744 ($2,740,245)