Tennis Update: David Ferrer and Stanislas Wawrinka confirm Copa Claro participation
The 12th ATP 250 event of the season, renamed Copa Claro got confirmed participation from two tennis professionals today.
The event takes place from the 15th Feb to 21st Feb in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Formerly known as the Copa Telmex, the event is played on clay court and is one of the predecessors to the prestigious Roland
Garros.
With the confirmed participations of locals David Nalbandian and Juan Monaco, another name was added to the list when Spaniard David Ferrer confirmed his participation.
Ranked seventh in the world, Ferrer summed up his season two weeks ago at the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals. Although he failed to make it to the semis in the event, Ferrer still enjoyed a successful season in 2010. With a title
win at Acapulco and then another at Valencia, Ferrer is one of those selected few who hit the 60 game mark in the season. Also making final appearances at Beijing and the Rome Masters, Ferrer finished of the season with a 60-24 win loss mark.
After a final run in Buenos Aires last year, Ferrer confirms to return in 2011 for another shot at the title. He lost his chance at the title after he lost to compatriot Juan Carlos Ferrero in the finals.
Another name added to the list today was that of Swiss number two, Stanislas Wawrinka. Ranked 21 in the world, Wawrinka is a rising star with a lot of eyes on him in 2011. Roger Federer’s compatriot and his Davis Cup teammate,
Wawrinka finished off his season with a title win at Casablanca and a win-loss mark of 36-19.
Talking about Wawrinka and Ferrer playing at the event, tournament director Martin Jaite said,
“Wawrinka is a great player to watch. His tennis is creative and since he is working with Peter Lundgren he has improved tremendously. I hope that the fans will enjoy his having him here. Also we cannot forget about old faces such as David Ferrer, runner
up last year. He had a great season ending among the Top 8 in London. I am sure he wants to do well and take the cup on Sunday after being so close last year, when he lost to [Juan Carlos] Ferrero in the final,”
With the director excited about Ferrer and Wawrinka, the locals will be looking to Nalbandian for a title win next year. The 2008 champion had a disappointing run in the 2010 Buenos Aires event when he was forced to retire in the
second round. Confident for a win in 2011, Nalbandian returns to Buenos Aires with raised hopes. Talking about the event, he said, “I am really looking forward to playing at home again. This is the only opportunity we have at home to play an ATP event.
So I hope to arrive in good shape and play my best tennis.”
Pre Qualifying rounds will be held for the locals from 13th Dec to 17th Dec for a spot in the Qualifying draw for the event.
With four participations confirmed so far, the remaining list of the participants will be published in the first week of January.
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