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Entry system ranking: 143 (282 points (-1)) Champions Race: 126 (7 points)(-3) Current tournament: Place: Monte Carlo, Monaco Next tournament:
Place: Munich, Germany
Date: April 29 - May 5, 2002 Draw Size: 32 Surface: Clay Prize Money: US $381,000 Stadium Court Seating: 3,800 Tournament Director: Rudi Berger Website: www.iphitos.de
Thanks Ivanna for the photo! (Norman in Bueno Aires)
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NORMAN CONQUERS TARANGO AT DUBAI DUTY FREE MEN'S OPEN Magnus Norman began his campaign for the Dubai Duty Free Men's Open title on Monday when he claimed a 6-4 6-4 victory over American Jeff Tarango. The second seeded Swede, who spent part of last year at the top of the ATP Points Race, was in great form, especially with his serve. He fired three straight aces at one stage, and produced six aces in all in the 73 minute match. "I've been working a lot on my serve the last couple of weeks and I'm very happy with the way that worked," said Norman. "And I'm very happy to get through because I lost in Marseille pretty early, and in Davis Cup I didn't play as good as I thought I would. It's always nice to get a match under your belt here, and hopefully I can build on that." It took Norman a little time to get on top of Tarango, despite breaking serve as early as the fifth game when the American netted a weak forehand. Tarango broke back immediately to level at 3-3, but Norman earned another break to lead 5-4 after Tarango had heatedly argued a line call that gave Norman break point. Just one break was enough to settle the second set. That came in the seventh game as Norman earned 12 straight points, and he finished the match by not dropping a point in his last three service games. It is unusual for a top player such as Norman to play the opening match of a tournament, but he welcomed the early opportunity to get into battle, revealing, "I came here last Wednesday already, so I was very eager to go out there as soon as possible, and I was very happy when I saw the schedule." Another Swede enjoyed an even easier early victory, as Thomas Johansson dismissed Rainer Schuettler of Germany 6-2 6-1. The ATP Tour event, which includes Marat Safin, Yevgeny Kafelnikov, Nicolas Kiefer and Patrick Rafter, is owned and organised by Dubai Duty Free. Taking place at the Dubai Tennis Stadium until 3rd March, the tournament is held under the patronage of HH General Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Minister of Defence, UAE. |
