Estoril Open 2004 News and Events

© João Lagos Sports

The 15th edition of the Estoril Open, which takes place between April 12 and 18, will have plenty of exciting action to offer.

Rainer Schuettler, who reached the final of the 2003 Australian Open heads the field and is joined by this year's Australian Open runner-up, Marat Safin. Before Melbourne, the Russian had not won an ATP match since May last year and missed a big chunk of last year's season with a left wrist injury.

Another player who returned to the tennis circuit this year is Goran Ivanisevic, who suffered from a shoulder injury during the second half of the 2003 season. The Croat will compete in the Estoril Open for the first time in his career.

Other notable players include defending champion Nikolay Davydenko, who lifted his career- second ATP trophy after defeating Agustin Calleri in the 2003 Estoril Open final.

The Portuguese fans will also get the opportunity to see teenagers Richard Gasquet and Rafael Nadal. 17-year-old Gasquet of France reached the semifinals in Buenos Aires in February. Mallorca-based Nadal advanced to his very first ATP final in Auckland in the beginning of 2004. Both players compete in the Estoril main draw for the first time.

In the women's draw, two-time champion Magui Serna will be back to attempt to lift the Estoril Open trophy for a third consecutive year. The 1999 winner, Katarina Srebotnik is also back in Portugal. The Slovenian also captured the Estoril doubles championship on two occasions.