Estoril Open 2005 News and Events

Joachim Johansson at the draw
© João Lagos Sports

Juan Ignacio Chela will begin the defense of his Estoril Open crown against Danish veteran Kenneth Carlsen, after the main draws were made at the Estadio Nacional on Saturday.

Tournament director Joao Lagos was present at the draw ceremony, alongside Portuguese political commentator Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, third seed Joachim Johansson and the WTA's Lucie Safarova.

Chela, who defeated Marat Safin to capture the title 12 months ago, lies in the top half of the draw along with former champions Carlos Moya and Juan Carlos Ferrero.

Moya, the top seed and champion in 2000, takes on fellow Spaniard Felix Mantilla in the first round with a potential meeting with Ferrero, winner in 2001, in the second round.

Moya and Ferrero, two of four Roland Garros champions in the men's field, have met 10 times before on the ATP circuit, with Ferrero winning seven times. However, the last time the two met came earlier this year at the Pacific Life Open in Indian Wells, with Moya winning in straight sets in the second round.

In the bottom half of the draw, second seed and reigning Roland Garros champion Gaston Gaudio opens his campaign for a third title of the year (Vina del Mar, Buenos Aires) against Czech Jan Hernych, while big-serving Johansson - also a two time winner on the ATP circuit this year in Adelaide and Marseille - takes on Alex Calatrava.

In the women's draw, top seed Flavio Pennetta of Italy begins her title challenge against Sandra Kloesel of Germany, while second seed Dinara Safina meets Claudine Schaul in her opening match.