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23 Main-draw Players for HK Salem Open Confirmed
The main-draw players to play the Salem Open in Hong Kong next month were confirmed on Monday by the local organizer with the world number three Juan Carlos Ferrero from Spain as the top ATP ranked participant.
The Salem Open, Hong Kong's only ATP world-ranking event, will play host to some other world's best players such as the sixth ranked Frenchman Sebastien Grosjean, Russia's U.S. Open champion Marat Safin, and the locally most welcome, three-time Salem Open winner Michael Chang from the U.S.
The star-studded list continues with last year's Salem Open finalist Mark Philippoussis of Australia, two former world number one players Marcelo Rios of Chile and Magnus Norman of Sweden.
American-Chinese Michael Chang has always had a strong following in Hong Kong, and Victoria Park, where this year's Salem Open will be held from September 22 to 30, has been the stage of some of his best wins.
"Hong Kong holds a special place in my heart. I have a lot of support there," said Chang. "This year's draw is very tough. Last year, I played a very close match with Henman in the quater- finals and I hope this year I will take it a few steps further."
Attention will also focus on three other American players in this year's field. Andy Roddick, Jan-Michael Gambill and Michael Russell are seen as the next generation of players to rule the courts.
Roddick, idolized Chang during his junior days, beat world number one Gustavo Kuerten in Montreal earlier this month. "I know that Americans have won seven of the past 11 Salem Open titles and I hope to continue that tradition. This year has been amazing for me, winning two ATP titles and having solid appearances at the French Open and Wimbledon. Winning in Hong Kong would add a lot to what is already a great year," said Roddick.
Juan Carlos Ferrero is likely to be the top-seeded player at the Salem Open. Given his form over the past year, he has a good chance of becoming the first Spaniard to win in Hong Kong.
The 21-year-old Spaniard defeated world number one Gustavo Kuerten to win the title at Tennis Masters Series in Rome, and won opens in Dubai, Estoril and Barcelona this year.
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