Patrick Rafter will face two-time Grand Slam finalist Cedric Pioline in his opening match on the BlackRock Tour of Champions in Graz on Tuesday.

Playing in his first event on the circuit of former World No.1’s, Grand Slam singles champions and finalists, and Davis Cup winners, the Australian will also need to find a way past home favourite Thomas Muster and Henri Lecont. If he reaches the final, he could set up a possible repeat of the 2001 Wimbledon final against Goran Ivanisevic.

In Group B, Ivanisevic will take on fellow Wimbledon winner Michael Stich, former World No.1 Marcelo Rios and Carl-Uwe Steeb.

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“It’s probably the first time since retirement that I have actually felt this way,” said Rafter, when asked why he had decided to return to tennis after seven years away from the sport.

"This year I have decided to get fit again. I train about 5 days a week which is gym, running and some other interesting fitness techniques. I surf as much as I can as well. I understand quite a few of the players play the tournaments (on the BlackRock Tour of Champions) so while it would be great to win in Graz, I just want to play well."

All players in each group will play each other over the first three days, and the players finishing top of each group will meet each other in the final. Those finishing second in each group will contest the 3rd/4th place play-off.

Matches are played over the best of three sets, with a Champions’ Tie-break (first to 10 points with a clear advantage of two) to decide the winner.

Two weeks ago in Istanbul, Ivanisevic won the Turkcell Legends Cup to move to No.1 in the South African Airways Champions Tour Rankings.

After Graz, the Tour will move on to Algarve, Portugal for the Vale do Lobo Grand Champions CGD (August 5-8).

On-site contact: Martin Dagahs - +49 (151) 116 199 96 or mdagahs@atptennis.com

LATEST GROUP STANDINGS

GROUP A
Matches won/lost (sets)
Thomas Muster 0-0 (0-0)
Patrick Rafter 0-0 (0-0)
Cedric Pioline 0-0 (0-0)
Henri Leconte 0-0 (0-0)

GROUP B
Matches won/lost (sets)
Goran Ivanisevic 0-0 (0-0)
Marcelo Rios 0-0 (0-0)
Michael Stich 0-0 (0-0)
Carl-Uwe Steeb 0-0 (0-0)

SCHEDULE – TUESDAY 29 JULY, 2008

13.00 Marcelo Rios vs Michael Stich
Followed by Patrick Rafter vs Cedric Pioline
Followed by Thomas Muster vs Henri Leconte

BLACKROCK 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