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By Anonymous January 21 2004--It’s a “Who’s Who” of men’s and women’s professional tennis as the Pacific Life Open today announced the initial list of ATP and WTA Tour players who are to compete in the 2004 event, set for March 8-21 at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. American stars Andre Agassi, Andy Roddick, Jennifer Capriati, Lindsay Davenport and Chanda Rubin will all be on hand, as well as the WTA Tour’s No.1 and No. 2 players, Belgians Justine Henin-Hardenne and Kim Clijsters (the 2003 women’s singles champion). Additionally, every one of the top 50 players in the ATP, including two-time defending men’s champion Lleyton Hewitt of Australia, are among the more than 100 scheduled to compete in the men’s field.
As an ATP Masters Series event, each of the top players in the ATP Entry System rankings will earn automatic entry into the newly expanded 96-player Pacific Life Open main draw. In addition, 48 players will vie for 12 qualifying spots, and five players will earn Wild Card entries into the field. On the women’s side, other top-20 players committing early to the event are such stars as Amelie Mauresmo of France; Anastasia Myskina, Nadia Petrova and Vera Zvonareva of Russia; Jelena Dokic of Serbia-Montenegro; Conchita Martinez of Spain; and 2002 Pacific Life Open Champion Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia.
In addition to Roddick (No. 1) and Agassi (No. 4), ATP stars that fans will see on the Indian Wells hardcourts include reigning Masters Cup Champion and year-end Champions Race No. 2 Roger Federer of Switzerland; Juan Carlos Ferrero (No. 3) and Carlos Moya (No. 7) of Spain; Guillermo Coria (No. 5) and David Nalbandian (No. 9) of Argentina (No. 5); Rainer Schuettler of Germany (No. 6); and Sebastien Grosjean (No. 10) of France.
“The Pacific Life Open showcases the top stars in the beautiful setting of the California desert,” said Charlie Pasarell, tournament director. This year, fans will be treated to more top-flight action with additional matches being added.”
The 48-player women’s qualifying draw takes place Monday, March 8 and Tuesday, March 9, feeding 12 players into the main draw, which opens on Wednesday, March 10. Men’s qualifying begins on Wednesday, March 10 with 48 players vying for 12 spots in the main draw; first-round play begins on Friday, March 12. Both the men’s and women’s final are set for Sunday, March 21.
The Pacific Life Open, a Tennis Masters Series and WTA Tour Tier 1 event, will be held March 8-21, 2004, at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden in Indian Wells, Calif., featuring the top-ranked men’s and women’s players in the world.
Ticket information for the tournament can be obtained by calling the tournament box office at (800) 999-1585 or on the Internet at www.PacificLifeOpen.com. Call the box office for more information on the many discounts, special ticket and travel packages and gift certificates that are available. Discounts for Coachella Valley residents, senior citizens, students, USTA members, Champions volunteers and the military are offered in person at the box office. Group and tennis club packages and discounts are also available. To play a part as a Champions volunteer please call (760) 200-8400.
This article courtesy of http://www.tennisplayerclub.net/.
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