Having not played a competitive tennis match for two years, Marcelo Rios was not expecting too much of himself when he took to the court against 1995 French Open champion Thomas Muster in Doha today.

But, the Chilean, making his debut on the Merrill Lynch Tour of Champions, showed many of the skills that took him to the World No.1 spot in 1998, beating Muster 6-3, 6-1.

The quality of his play surprised even Rios.

“I thought I was going to feel a little bit worse, but I’ve been practicing for the last month so I’m feeling pretty good,” he said.

Rios had not expected to return to the sport at all after retiring, but, like so many players that join the Merrill Lynch Tour of Champions, the ‘itch’ to return became too much, and the Champions Tour provided the perfect platform.

“In the beginning, after my retirement, I said I’m not going back [to tennis] again,” said Rios.

“I was tired of travelling and practicing. Now, after two years, I’ve decided to play on the Merrill Lynch Tour of Champions and see how it goes. I’ll try to enjoy it and play a bit more relaxed, but I also think when you have been at the top you still like to win. Everybody that comes here wants to win the title. I’m just enjoying playing again, taking it match by match. If I can win, that would be great. It’s exciting to be back and I’m looking forward to playing good and just enjoying tennis for a second time.”

In his second round-robin match on Thursday, Rios will take on Henri Leconte of France.

Elsewhere on Wednesday, 1996 Wimbledon Champion Richard Krajicek began the action in Group B in style, defeating Carl-Uwe Steeb 7-5, 6-2 while Henri Leconte overcame Pat Cash 5-7, 6-3, 10-6 (Champions' Tie-Break).

The other match on Wednesday, between Cedric Pioline and Sergi Bruguera, was halted by rain with Pioline leading 6-1, 1-1. They will resume on Thursday.


SECONDS OUT, ROUND TWO – IT’S CASH VS. MUSTER ON THURSDAY

Thursday will see the first meeting between Thomas Muster and Pat Cash since their on-court argument in Essen last year. On that occasion, Muster drilled a ball into Cash’s stomach, which prompted some spicy scenes at the net with Cash pushing Muster in the chest. Cash eventually won 6-0, 6-1.

Richard Krajicek will also get the chance for revenge against Sergi Bruguera on Thursday. The Spaniard beat the Dutchman on his way to the title last year, but Krajicek believes he can turn the tables this time.

“He beat me here last year and he won the title last year so it will be difficult,” said Krajicek.

“But, I got off to a better start here this year so maybe that will help me this time. If I serve as good as I did today I think I have a good chance. I hope I will play well enough to qualify for the Masters this year - that’s basically the objective. Play, have fun and qualify for the Masters!”

The top two players in each group will meet in Saturday’s final, with the players finishing second in each group contesting the 3rd/4th place play-off. Matches are played over the best of three sets with the third set taking the form of a Champions’ Tie-Break (first to ten and leading by two clear points).

To be eligible to compete on the Merrill Lynch Tour of Champions, players must have been either a World No.1 during their competitive playing careers, a Grand Slam singles finalist, or a singles player on a victorious Davis Cup team, and no longer active as a singles player on the ATP tour. Each event can also invite two players of its choice to take wild cards.

Players compete for points throughout the year to qualify for the Champions Masters which takes place December 5-10, 2006 at the Royal Albert Hall in London. The top ten players in the rankings after all events are complete will qualify automatically. The field in London will increase to 12 with the addition of two wild card invitations. There is a $100,000 prize on offer for the winner in London.

ROUND ROBIN GROUPS
Group A
Muster
Cash
Leconte
Rios

Group B
Pioline
Bruguera
Krajicek
Steeb

SCHEDULE
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
At 6 PM
Muster – Rios
Krajicek – Steeb
Cash – Leconte
Pioline – Bruguera

MERRILL LYNCH Tour of Champions Points Allocation
Winner – 400 points
Finalist – 250 points
3rd place – 200 points
4th place – 125 points
5/6th place – 80 points
7/8th place – 60 points

The Merrill Lynch Tour of Champions 2006:
DOHA, Qatar March 29 – April 1
HONG KONG, China April 6-9
BARCELONA, Spain April 20-23
ROME, Italy May 13-17
SPLIT, Croatia August 3-6
ALGARVE, Portugal August 8-11
GRAZ, Austria August 15-19
PARIS, France September 14-17
EINDHOVEN, Netherlands October 12-15
DUBLIN, Ireland October 19-22
FRANKFURT, Germany November 16-19
The Masters, LONDON, UK December 5-10

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