Chennai tournament starts today, Jan.1. Carlos plays Alexander Waske,
doesn't appear to be scheduled today. Happy New Year everyone!

Report from 'The Hindu':

SCHUETTLER MEETS NADAL IN FIRST ROUND Sunday, Dec 31, 2006

Chennai: With all those faithful years behind him in the Chennai
Open, playing year after year, doing his job in all quiet and no-
nonsense charm, and choosing to return again, Rainer Schuettler would
have expected a little more out of tennis providence, than a first
round encounter with top-seed Rafael Nadal.

Cuss words, a no-no in the presence of a roomful of media men, gave
way to a wryest smile and a few words of self comfort like, "it's
much more motivating to play someone ranked one, two or three, than
someone ranked 100." He knows how it feels to be both, having been as
high as fifth in the rankings in 2004, and as low as 97, now.

The draws that were made on Saturday with Xavier Malisse and
Schuettler present, were unkind, to say the least, to the German. "He
(Nadal) is the favourite, and I have nothing to lose. He's extremely
fit, and I'm just going to try my best," he said, borrowing a
globally recognised underdog phrase.

Fellow Chennai Open regular Carlos Moya, in the bottom half of the
draw has a relatively easier first round against Alexander Waske,
provided his customary script in Chennai still holds good.

A seemingly tough opponent in any other part of the globe seems a
little stripped off his weapons (in Waske's case, a huge serve is one
of them) when confronted with the Spaniard in Chennai. The past might
sometimes have little to do with the future in sport, but Moya's case
has enough in it to surprise outsiders, on how freakish geographical
advantage can get.

Argentine David Nalbandian, having to deal with life's extremities
like reaching the Davis Cup final, reaching the Shanghai Masters
semifinal and losing his godson, will have lesser worries, when he
meets Kristian Pless in the first round.

---------------------------------------------------------



--- In carlosmoya2@yahoogroups.com, bev29x <no_reply@...> wrote:
>
> Carlos has confirmed he will play in India in January 2007:
>
> CARLOS MOYA CONFIRMS FOR CHENNAI OPEN TENNIS
>
> Chennai, Nov 20: Spaniard Carlos Moya has confirmed his
participation
> in the $40,000 Chennai Open tennis tournament in January, it was
> announced by the organisers here Monday.
>
> "This is my fifth visit here (to India) and, having won the title
> twice before, I am confident that I will be able to raise my game
to
> the highest level and get a great start once again," Moya has said
> according to a press release issued by the organisers. Moya is
> currently ranked 43rd in the world.
>
> Moya's confirmation comes 13 days after his compatriot and world
No.
> 2 Rafael Nadal confirmed his entry in the tournament that will be
> played at the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT)
> Stadium in Nungambakkam Jan 1-7.
>
> World No. 8 David Nalbandian of Argentina had earlier confirmed his
> participation, making it a high profile tournament.
>
> Nadal participated in the Indian Open only once in 2004, as a
rookie,
> and suffered a first-round defeat to Frenchman Thierry Ascione. But
> the Spaniard and his compatriot Tommy Robredo won the doubles title.
>
> Croatian Ivan Ljubucic who beat him in the title clash deprived
Moya
> of a hat trick of Chennai Open titles in January this year.
>
> "In Spain, football is the most popular sport so I do not get as
much
> warmth there as I get here," he said.
>
> "I have had some memorable performances in Chennai and I hope to
> continue the same and hopefully win my third title."
>
> Moya is very popular in Chennai and his wonderful gesture of
donating
> his prize money last year towards tsunami relief efforts touched
the
> hearts of the people.
>
> "Moya is a true champion. Players of his calibre always bring a lot
> of excitement and I am sure Chennai will once again witness some
> scintillating tennis from him," said tournament director Fernando
> Soler.
>
> The Chennai Open, owned and organised by International Management
> Group, is South Asia's premiere Association Tennis Professional
> International Series event.
>
> "It's very rare to see a Grand Slam champion like Carlos Moya keep
> coming back to Chennai and we are indeed very honoured to keep
> hosting him," said Balu Nayar, IMG managing director India.
>
> [Tamil Nadu News]
>