TENNIS in DEPTH.

This year’s Valencia Open 500 will be played for the first time at new facilities of the Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias, one of the most unique places in Valencia. The latest addition to the venue, the Ágora building, will host the Centre Court for the tournament. Valencia is one of 11 ATP World Tour 500 level tournaments. There are six former champions in the field (see below), including five Spaniards. The tournament was played on clay prior to this year. The defending champion is hometown hero David Ferrer, who defeated countryman and 2006-07 winner Nicolas Almagro in last year’s final. The top seed is World No. 4 Andy Murray, who is a five-time title winner on the ATP World Tour this season. The other seeds are: No. 2 Nikolay Davydenko, No. 3 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, No. 4 Fernando Verdasco, No. 5 Gilles Simon, No. 6 Gael Monfils, No. 7 Tommy Robredo and No. 8 Ferrer. There are two positions remaining for the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals in London, which begins on Nov. 22, and Davydenko, Verdasco and Tsonga are among the leading contenders.

There are four singles matches on Stadium Monday, including Davydenko in the final match.

A LOOK AT THE DRAW

Seeded Players (Tournament record, best finish – year)

1 Andy Murray (GBR) Debut

2 Nikolay Davydenko (RUS) 0-3 R32-’06,05,02

3 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) Debut

4 Fernando Verdasco (ESP) 12-5 W-’04

5 Gilles Simon (FRA) 5-2 F-’06

6 Gael Monfils (FRA) 1-1 R16-’08

7 Tommy Robredo (ESP) 4-3 SF-’08

8 David Ferrer (ESP) 11-4 W-’08

Related Posts:

• Davydenko moves on to meet Federer in the quarter final.
• Murray squeaks a win in a tie-breaker, now waits on Federer!
• Davydenko is thru!…now Verdasco must wait.

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