Estoril Open 2006 News and Events

David Nalbandian
© Joao Lagos Sports

For the first time since winning the 2002 Estoril Open title, David Nalbandian returns to the Estadio Nacional.

The top-seeded Argentine, currently ranked No. 4 in the INDESIT ATP Rankings, will meet France’s Nicolas Mahut in the first round. Nalbandian is scheduled to face No. 5 seed Dmitry Tursunov in the quarterfinals.

Russian Nikolay Davydenko is making his first appearance since a first round exit two years ago.

The No. 2 seed will try to break and three-match opening round losing streak on clay (2005-Kitzbuhel; 2006-Valencia, AMS Monte-Carlo) with victory over American Vince Spadea.

Davydenko could meet countryman Marat Safin in the second round for the third time this season after losing to the former World No. 1 in Dubai and Indian Wells.

STAR-STUDDED FIELD

In addition to the two Top 10 ATP stars, Nalbandian and Davydenko, 2000 champion Carlos Moya also features amongst the past winners.

One finalist, Marat Safin (2004), are also main draw attractions. Tommy Robredo (2003), who finished runner-up to Rafael Nadal in Barcelona last week, recently pulled out.

French wild card and No. 4 seed Gael Monfils is the youngest player in the main draw at 19 years, 8 months.

Spaniard Nicolas Almagro (aged 20) and Frenchman Gilles Simon (21) have proven to be two of the most consistent players on clay in the last few weeks.

Almagro won his first ATP title in Valencia, defeating Simon in the final, and he reached the semifinals in Barcelona (l. to Nadal) to break into the Top 50 for the first time.

Simon, meanwhile, reached his first ATP final in Valencia, the third round in Monte-Carlo and semifinals in Casablanca.