Monday, August 09, 1999

ATP's main draw starts today

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BY MICHAEL PERRY
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Despite the protective ring around Pete Sampras, a fan manages to squeeze in and get an autograph Sunday. (Michael E. Keating photo) | ZOOM |

        MASON — Three of the 16 seeded players will be in action today as the main draw of the Great American Insurance ATP Championship gets under way (1-3 p.m., ESPN).

        The $2.45 million tournament is one of the Mercedes Super 9 events on the ATP Tour, the most prestigious events in men's tennis other than the four Grand Slams.

        “I'm really anxious,” said unseeded MaliVai Washington, a former top 20 player who's in the field for the first time in three years as he tries to come back from injuries. Washington, 30, plays Arnaud Di Pasquale at 11 a.m. on Center Court.

        Other top first-day matches:

IF YOU GO

• Where: ATP Tennis Center, Mason. Take I-71 to exit 24 or 25 and follow the signs.   • When: Day session 11 a.m.; evening session 7 p.m.   • Tickets: $14. Call 651-0303 or 562-4949.   • Today's schedule   • Tennis center layout   • Win Tickets

        • No. 10 seed Carlos Moya vs. Cedric Pioline (7 p.m., Center Court). It should be a good match between the Nos. 12 and 24 players. The winner gets the winner of Jim Courier-Goran Ivanisevic.

        • No. 11 seed Tommy Haas vs. Xavier Malisse (not before 1 p.m., Center Court). Malisse, from Belgium, just turned 19 and is the youngest player in the field. Mr. Haas, from Germany, is 21.

        • No. 13 seed Thomas Enqvist vs. qualifier Wayne Arthurs (about 3 p.m., Center Court). Mr. Enqvist is 10-4 in Cincinnati, tied for the eighth-most victories here among active players.

Special section

        The top eight seeds have first-round byes and won't play until Tuesday or Wednesday.

        Top-seeded and No. 1-ranked Pete Sampras has been in Cincinnati practicing since Saturday and will likely play Tuesday. He'll face the winner of today's match between Jan Siemerink and Jan Kroslak.

        No. 2 seed Patrick Rafter, the defending ATP champion, won the doubles in Montreal on Sunday. No. 3 seed Andre Agassi lost Saturday night in Montreal to Yevgeny Kafelnikov, the No. 4 seed. Mr. Kafelnikov lost in the final in Montreal on Sunday to Thomas Johansson, the ATP Championship's No. 16 seed.

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