American Andy Roddick has confirmed he will play in this month's Salem Open. Organisers yesterday said they had received an e-mail from the United States committing Roddick to the US$400,000 tournament from September 24-30 at Victoria Park. 'We had word today on Andy Roddick's behalf that he will be definitely coming to Hong Kong. This is good news as he will be the drawcard,' said tournament director Lincoln Venancio.
There were doubts over the new teenage sensation's appearance for the first time in Hong Kong, and Asia, following Tuesday's horrific terror attacks in New York and Washington. The fallout following the attack on America saw the postponement of the Davis Cup World Group playoff tie between the United States and India scheduled for September 21-23. World number 15 Roddick, who was to spearhead the US challenge, will now arrive in Hong Kong earlier than hoped.
'Initially, we had scheduled his first round match in Hong Kong for Wednesday. ATP rules say first round matches have to be played on the Monday and the Tuesday unless a player cannot make it in time as he was involved in a Davis Cup tie on another continent. The postponement of the tie against India now allows him to leave the US earlier,' said Venancio.
The Davis Cup tie will now be played from October 12-14 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. 'Arriving earlier will definitely help Roddick in Hong Kong. He is not only the drawcard, but someone who can win this tournament,' said Venancio. Organisers were also confident the other three American players in the main draw would turn up. They are three-time Salem Open champion Michael Chang, Jan-Michael Gambill and Michael Russell. 'I don't expect any changes and I'm fully confident everyone is coming,' said Venancio.
Meanwhile, Russian Marat Safin said the Hong Kong tournament was the key to his plans of qualifying for the Tennis Masters Cup in Sydney this year. 'I want to do my best in Hong Kong, Moscow and St Petersburg because I want to make the Tennis Masters Cup,' said Safin, who is ranked 14th in the world. Only the top eight players will appear at the Tennis Masters Cup.
