The
Malaysian Open, Kuala Lumpur 2012 is thrilled to announce tennis’
newest Top 10 player, and one of the craftiest and most exciting
players on the ATP World Tour, have today confirmed their
participation in the US$947,750 ATP 250 tournament, to be held
September 22 to 30 at Putra Stadium, Bukit Jalil.
Top-ten
debutant Juan Monaco of Argentina, one of the standout players of the
2012 ATP World Tour season, will be making his first visit to Kuala
Lumpur, while the “welcome back” mat will be laid out for the
fabulous play of the Ukraine’s World No.17 Alexandr Dolgopolov.
Monaco
and Dolgopolov join the previously confirmed David Ferrer of Spain,
the World No. 5, who won his fifth title of the year last week in
Bastad, Sweden, and the popular Japanese player, and Asian No.1, Kei
Nishikori, ranked No. 18.
Monaco
is enjoying the best year of his career. Yesterday, the 28 year old
from Tandil, a hotbed of tennis talent in Argentina, won his third
title of the year at the ATP 500 tournament in Hamburg, and is now at
a career high ranking of No.10, something he could very well improve
on, come September.
His
participation was confirmed just hours after his Hamburg victory,
following an initial meeting with “Pico”, as he is affectionately
known, by IMG’s Tournament Director Nick Freyer, during Wimbledon.
This third title of the year places Monaco behind KL bound Ferrer and
tennis greats Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal for the most titles won
so far in 2012.
Monaco
has now taken his win-loss record for 2012 to a very impressive
31-10. He has six career titles and has reached another nine finals,
following his run to the final last Sunday at the ATP 250 event in
Stuttgart.
“It's
amazing, it's a dream come true,” Monaco said of his new position
in the Top 10. “I will always remember this great week because it's
very important for me and my team. It was a big goal we had
pre-season when we were practising very hard.”
The
victory over an in-form Tommy Haas in Hamburg adds to titles he won
in Vina del Mar and then in Houston where he beat two giant servers,
Kevin Anderson and in the final John Isner. He was a semi-finalist at
the ATP Masters 1000 event in Miami where he had a stunning run,
beating, in back-to-back matches, Gael Monfils, Andy Roddick and
Mardy Fish.
He
also made the last 16 at the French Open accounting for Milos Raonic
is a five set thriller and has a career win over Ferrer. He now
turns his attention, along with Ferrer and Nishikori to the London
Olympics.
Dolgopolov
is also coming off a solid recent week on the ATP World Tour having
made the semi-finals in Umag, Croatia.
Dolgopolov
is one of the most exciting players in men’s tennis. The 23-year
old Ukrainian was ranked No.13 following the Australian Open earlier
this year. He plays tennis with such a carefree attitude that fans
are left gasping at some of the winners he produces. It is such a
thrill to witness his style of play that fellow players who watch him
in action are even left shaking their heads with his talent.
“I
have fond memories of my last visit to Kuala Lumpur,” Dolgopolov
said. “My coach Jack and I felt very comfortable and welcome
in Malaysia and we are excited to return and play the highest quality
tennis. I hope it will deliver another KL Champion from my part of
Europe, and I would love it to be me.”
Rafael
Nadal said of “Dolgo”, as he is known everywhere: “He's
a crazy player, not like a crazy guy (but) because you can expect
everything. He can play really aggressive; he can play very fast; he
has a very good serve; and the ball is going too fast sometimes. He
can beat you and you will not have something to do with it. He's a
special player. I
know he can hit a winner from every place in the court.”
Dolgopolov
has one career title, Umag in 2011, and has reached two other finals,
one of those being in Brisbane this year. In Brisbane he defeated
Radek Stepanek and Gilles Simon before a leg injury prevented him
from producing his best tennis against Andy Murray in the final.
He
was a quarterfinalist at the ATP Masters 1000 in Madrid defeating
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. He also made it to the last 16 at the ATP Masters
1000 events in Indian Wells defeating former Malaysian Open, Kuala
Lumpur finalist Marcos Baghdatis and in Monte Carlo where he turned
the tables on Bernard Tomic. The two of them played a glorious five
set match at this year’s Australian Open which remains one of the
best matches of 2012. Additionally, he has career wins over Marin
Cilic and Robin Soderling.
Tournament
Director Nick Freyer said, “Alex has come so far since he first
visited our tournament ranked 55 two years ago, and it is always a
treat for us to welcome back a player with extreme talent such as
his. The match he played against Bernard Tomic at the Australian Open
in February was a contest between two true wizards of the game.”
The
tournament also announced that fans visiting the Malaysian Open,
Kuala Lumpur 2012 should make sure to keep their ticket stub. Every
ticket stub will have a coupon printed on it that will entitle the
holder to discounts (including a 35% discount on Wilson products from
the tournament booth at the stadium) when purchasing a variety of the
great sponsor products that will be on offer.
“Our
fans mean a lot to us so we are delighted to be able to offer them
something back. We want them to have a fun experience at the
tournament and this promotion just ads to our “Catch the
Autographed Ball” and “Win 500 ATP Shirts per day” activities
that have already been announced,” added Freyer.
FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: :
Local
Media Director, Malaysia, Mr. Ghaz Ramli at 60-16 243 0848 or email :
ghazoo21@gmail.com
