Berdych To Defend Shenzhen Open Title, Gasquet And Goffin To Play

Reigning champion Tomas Berdych, former top-tenner Richard Gasquet and World No. 11 David Goffin lead the early commitments to contest the 2016 Shenzhen Open. The ATP World Tour 250 hard-court tournament announced the trio’s participation at a press conference on Thursday, featuring 2003 Roland Garros men’s singles champion Juan Carlos Ferrero as the special guest.

The former world No. 1 is on a four-day tour in China with long-time coach Antonio Martínez Cascales, meeting fans and young talents in Shenzhen, Beijing and Shanghai. Ferrero and Casacales have also been operating The Grand Gemdale-JC Ferrero International Tennis Academy in Shenzhen since 2014.

“I am happy to be part of the press conference today, I love China,” said the retired Spaniard. “It is a pity that I could not play at the Shenzhen Open this year. I do think I stand a chance for the title.”

One of the most popular players among Chinese tennis enthusiasts, Berdych will return to defend his title having recently made the semi-finals at Wimbledon. He is looking to qualify for The Barclays ATP World Tour Finals for a seventh consecutive season.

After a hiatus last year Richard Gasquet will return to the 2016 Shenzhen Open. The 30-year-old Frenchman lifted his 13th ATP World Tour title in Montpellier in February prevailing 7-5, 6-4 over countryman Paul-Henri Mathieu.

The 2016 Shenzhen Open also sees the debut of David Goffin, who has a record of 31-13 on the season. Currently at a career-high Emirates ATP Ranking of No. 11, the Belgian has been a quarter-finalist at Roland Garros as well as a semi-finalist back-to-back at the BNP Paribas Open and Miami Open.

The Shenzhen Open will be held from 24 September to 2 October at the Longgang Sports Centre and kicks off The ATP World Tour’s three-week China Wing. Another ATP World Tour 250 event in Chengdu will be held in the same week, followed by the China Open in Beijing and the Shanghai Rolex Masters.