4 September 2007

Thailand Open celebrates Latin TV deal with three Argentine players

The Thailand Open is marking a broadcast deal on the pan-Latin American Fox network by welcoming three top Argentine players to compete in the event from September 22-30.

Jose Acasuso, Diego Hartfield and Carlos Berlocq have joined the star-studded event in what is shaping up as the tournament’s strongest playing field ever.

The Argentine players will be cheered on by their home fans as a result of the deal with the Fox Latin America network which will bring Thailand Open matches into 33 million households in 20 countries in South and Central America.

“This is a great achievement for the Thailand Open to be broadcast in so many new countries,” said BEC-Tero Managing Director Brian L. Marcar. “In 2007 the tournament will again have extensive coverage throughout Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Australasia, but this is the first time we have had such exposure in Latin America.

“So we are especially pleased to welcome the three Argentines to Bangkok. They will all be making their first appearances at the Thailand Open,” Mr. Marcar added. “And it is very appropriate that they are coming this year when their home fans can watch them in action for the first time.”

Acasuso is currently ranked #70 in the world has won three ATP Tour events and has beaten some of the world’s best including top 10 players Andy Roddick, Ivan Ljubicic and Tommy Robredo.

Hartfied, ranked #75, and Berlocq, ranked #76, are both more at home playing on clay courts but each has enjoyed some good results on hard surfaces. Hartfield has enjoyed a breakthrough year in 2007 making the top 100 for the first time while Berlocq will be remembered by Thai tennis fans as the player who beat Danai Udomchoke at this year’s Wimbledon.

The Thailand Open will be held at Impact Arena, Muang Thong Thani.