Close matches and intense competition are expected to make up for the lack of big-name stars at this month's CMG Open. 'The event is going to be about atmosphere. I would like to see every match go into a tie-breaker,' said tournament director Jeff Mann. 'We want to attract some special personalities and establish it as a permanent fixture on the Hong Kong sporting calendar.' Organisers expect the Victoria Park Challenger tournament from October 16-24 to be more competitive than the inaugural event last year. While last year's competition featured only one top-100 player - then-95th-ranked Leander Paes of India - this year's has three. They are Americans Cecil Mamiit (76) and Paul Goldstein (83) and Dutchman John van Lottum (85). Adding to the competitive element is the fact that the cut-off mark for direct acceptance into the main draw has been reduced from world-ranked 381st to 281st. The Challenger Series has been designed for players ranked between 51-250th and only one professional ranked between 11-50th can take part by invitation. Several players are making their second appearance in the CMG Open, including Wimbledon and French doubles champion Paes - currently ranked 178th in singles - and Mamiit. Australian doubles specialist Todd Woodbridge has accepted a wild card. Hong Kong's Davis Cup player Melvin Tong Man-chung has also been given a wild card.
