Forty ATP Champions Race points are at stake for the winner of the RCA Championships, the first tournament of the North American hard court circuit. Two other ATP events are being played this week, the Croatia Open in Umag and the Generali Open in Kitzbuehel, Austria.
Top seed Andy Roddick makes his first appearance in Indianapolis as he goes in search of his third ATP title of the year following his victories in St. Poelten (clay) and at the Stella Artois Championships in London (grass). The 20-year-old, who currently lies in fifth position in the ATP Champions Race 2003, has a 35-12 record for the year, having also reached the semifinals at the Australian Open and Wimbledon.
Challenging Roddick for the title will be second seed Paradorn Srichaphan, the Thai who won the most hard court matches in 2002 (40-17), along with third seed Sjeng Schalken, a winner this year on the grass courts of 's-Hertogenbosch and a quarterfinalist at Wimbledon for the second consecutive year. Greg Rusedski, the defending champion and No. 10 seed this year, could face rising American Mardy Fish, the No. 6 seed in the third round in what would be a repeat of their final in Nottingham last month, while Robby Ginepri, who captured his first ATP title in Newport just over a week ago, is the No. 7 seed.
American legend Michael Chang also makes his first and final appearance in Indianapolis before he retires later this year. The 31-year-old faces fellow American Eric Taino in the first round.
TOURNAMENT FASTFACTS
The RCA Championships, an International Series event, is being held in Indianapolis, Indiana this week. Many prominent players have won the title here. Former champions who will be playing this week are Greg Rusedski and Thomas Enqvist.
Greg Rusedski claimed the 12th title of his career and denied Felix Mantilla his first hard court crown when he rallied from a set down to win the RCA Championship final 6-7(6), 6-4, 6-4 in Indianapolis. Rusedski, who claimed the Auckland title in January, won his seventh career hard court title and won a second title in the same season for the first time since 1999. Rusedski defeated top seed Lleyton Hewitt and third seed Tommy Haas en route to the final, and was broken serve only once during the week (against Haas).
