Sao Paulo, Brazil, 10 July 2002. Austrian top star Werner SCHLAGER was top seeded at the Brazil Open last year, but young Timo BOLL (GER) put a stop to his title dreams. This year SCHLAGER gets another chance. As nr. 7 on the World ranking he is once more the top name in Sao Paulo.
Werner Schlager (AUT)
SCHLAGER showed very good form last week reaching the semi-finals at the US Open and he will certainly have no difficulties in finding motivation to try to take his first Pro Tour title in singles since he won the Australian Open in 1996. Since then he has been in 3 finals – and lost.
Among players who could stop him the Koreans OH Sang Eun, RYU Seung Min and LEE Chul Seung should be mentioned. They have all had their moments at the Pro Tour during the last year, and on their good days they can beat anyone.
The two Dutchmen Trinko KEEN and Danny HEISTER will certainly go for it as well.
In Women’s Singles the Korean RYU Ji Hae is the top seed, she already holds several Pro Tour titles, but none from this year. Her major obstacles will be her compatriot KIM Moo Kyo, Austrian LIU Jia and defending champion Aya UMEMURA.
UMEMURA came from (almost) nowhere last year. First she reached the final at the US Open and then she took the title in Brazil. This year she is seeded 4th.
Brazil Open starts on Thursday and finals will be played on Sunday morning.