Chengdu Line-up Finalised

Former Wimbledon champion Goran Ivanisevic, two-time French Open champion Sergi Bruguera and former World Number Four Thomas Enqvist are the final three players to complete the star-studded line-up of the first Chengdu Open, it was announced today.

The trio join a field which already includes multiple Grand Slam winners Bjorn Borg, John McEnroe and Mats Wilander, as well as former World Number One Marcelo Rios and 1989 French Open champion Michael Chang in the tournament which will run from November 5-8, 2009.

The Chengdu Open is to be the ATP Champions Tour’s first ever event in China, a country where tennis is fast becoming one of the most popular spectator and participation sports. The arrival of eight of tennis’ biggest stars to the Chengdu Open in November is sure to see the 6,700 seat Sichuan International Tennis Centre in the Chengdu district packed out and abuzz with excitement.

Tournament Director Nick Freyer is confident that the addition of Ivanisevic, Bruguera and Enqvist to the tournament’s already star-studded field will make for a sensational event.

“We are absolutely thrilled to have these fantastic players join the line-up for the Chengdu Open,” Freyer said. “With Goran, Sergi and Thomas joining the field, between them the eight players have won a staggering 29 Grand Slam titles, so the four days at the Sichuan International Tennis Centre will be something to remember.”

Ivanisevic, the 2001 Wimbledon champion, is also delighted at the prospect of playing alongside so many of tennis’ all-time greats in Chengdu.

“I am looking forward to being in China again,” he said. “This is an incredible draw. To have John and Bjorn and the others coming to Chengdu, it will be a fantastic experience for everyone who comes and watches. It will be a lot of fun.”

And with the full order of play for the four days of the Chengdu Open also announced on Tuesday, tournament organisers believe that every match will be like being at a Grand Slam final. The most obvious highlight amongst the 12 round robin matches is the latest installment of the legendary rivalry between John McEnroe and Bjorn Borg, who are scheduled to meet on the Saturday evening.

The tournament has eight players who will be divided into two groups for round robin play, the top two players from the groups will meet in the final, while the runners-up from each group will play-off for third and fourth place.