Spanish stars confirm Heineken return 

Former world tennis No 1 Juan Carlos Ferrero has confirmed he will return to Auckland in January to chase an elusive Heineken Open victory.

Fellow Spaniard and world No 15 Tommy Robredo was also announced on Tuesday as a starter for the tournament.

Now ranked No 22, Ferrero has 12 career title wins to his name, including the French Open in 2003.

He became world No 1 the same year, after being a finalist at the US Open. Other Grand Slam success was being a French Open finalist at Roland Garros in 2002.

Ferrero has made the quarters or better of Grand Slams five other times, the last being this year at Wimbledon where he beat Fernando Gonzalez and Gilles Simon in succession before being downed by Andy Murray.

January will be his sixth appearance in Auckland, having first played in 2000 as a teenager, beating Swiss ace Roger Federer on an outside court and continuing to the quarterfinals.

He lost a tense 2008 final to Philipp Kohlschreiber and returned this year, with the pair meeting in the second round in what was one of the tournament highlights. Ferrero lost that match in a   third set tiebreak.

Robredo has nine titles to his credit, including two this year, the first being at Coasta Do Sauipe, Brazil, where he beat Thomaz Bellucci in the final, and the second at Buenos Aires, Argentina, with victory over Juan Monaco.

The titles were part of a run of success which included a semifinal, two wins and quarterfinal in South American tournaments.

Consistent

Robredo also had a consistent year in Grand Slams, reaching the fourth round at the Australian Open and the quarterfinals at Roland Garros.

At Wimbledon he made the third round, and at the US Open he defeated James Blake in the third round but then lost to Federer.

Robredo had a career high ranking of No 5 in 2006 and was beaten by David Ferrer at the 2007 Heineken Open final.

Heineken Open tournament director Richard Palmer said both players have a great pedigree at the tournament and around the world.

"You don't get to win a Grand Slam and be number one in the world without having exceptional talent and that's just what Ferrero has. He's also had a great year winning a title and making the quarters at Wimbledon. He's extremely popular with the crowd in Auckland and knows how to play and how to entertain."

Palmer also lauded the consistency of Robredo, who has finished in the top 25 in the world for each of the past seven years.

"He has proved himself against the best and will be a great asset to the Heineken Open," Palmer said.

The Heineken Open entry list will be revealed on December 2nd with Palmer promising more top-40 names to come and expecting a main draw cut off of around 62.

The 2010 Heineken Open runs from January 11-16.

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