Sony Ericsson Open - News.

World No. 1 Rafael Nadal To Open Play On March 28

Photo: © Sony Ericsson Open

MIAMI, Fla. – World No. 1 Rafael Nadal will begin his quest for his first Sony Ericsson Open title on Saturday, March 28 at 8:00 p.m. Nadal’s potential opponents won’t be determined until the tournament draw is announced on March 23.

Tickets to the Sony Ericsson Open are on sale now and can be purchased by phone (305-442-3367) or via the internet at www.sonyericssonopen.com. An amazing 12 days of tennis conclude with the women’s final on Saturday, April 4 and the men’s final on Sunday, April 5.

Nadal enters the Sony Ericsson Open hot off his sixth-career Grand Slam title at the Australian Open and became the first Spaniard to win down under. He joins the company of Jimmy Connors and Pete Sampras as the third player at age 22-under to win three of the four Grand Slam titles.

Before the start of Nadal’s match, fans will be treated to a special on-court performance by Clarita Filgueiras and Flamenco Puro, presented by Andalucia, Spain’s premier tourist destination. Keeping with the Spanish theme, Clarita Filguerias and Flamenco Puro will perform the fiery art of flamenco dance, one of the finest components of Spanish dance.

The remaining men’s draw including 13-time Grand Slam Champion Roger Federer, 2007 Sony Ericsson Open Champion Novak Djokovic, British star Andy Murray, American superstar Andy Roddick and defending Sony Ericsson Open Champion Nikolay Davydenko will be announced during the men’s tournament draw ceremony on Monday, March 23 at 2:30 p.m.

Prior to the men’s draw announcement, the women’s draw will be unveiled at 2:00 p.m. The women’s field is highlighted by two-time defending champion Serena Williams, seven-time Grand Slam Champion and three-time Sony Ericsson Open winner, Venus Williams, three-time Grand Slam Champion Maria Sharapova, 2008 ITF World Singles Champion Jelena Jankovic, 2008 French Open Champion Ana Ivanovic, and 2008 Olympic Gold Medalist Elena Dementieva.