Featuring a star-studded line-up, the Malaysian Open is one of only five ATP World Tour events staged in continental Asia. With 28 singles players, 16 doubles teams and USD947,750 in prize money, the tournament runs from 25 September to 3 October at Stadium Putra in Bukit Jalil.

Among the top-ranking players confirmed for the 2010 tournament are Robin Soderling (world number five), Nikolay Davydenko (six), Tomas Berdych (eight), David Ferrer (12), Mikhail Youzhny (14), Nicolas Almagro (18), Marcos Baghdatis (25), former Wimbledon Champion Lleyton Hewitt (30) and Asia’s top ranked player, Lu Yen- Hsun (41) of Taiwan.

Leading the charge is Sweden’s Soderling, who ended Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer’s French Open campaigns in 2009 and 2010. “I am happy to be coming back to Malaysia,” he says. “I am really hoping to improve on my semi-final showing last year and hopefully win.”

Last year’s champion Nikolay Davydenko is also having an impressive season. The Russian won five ATP World Tour titles in 2009 and capped off the year by taking the inaugural Kuala Lumpur title, the Masters 1000 tournament in Shanghai and his biggest career title so far, the season ending Barclays ATP World Tour Finals in London. He finished 2009 in the top six of the ATP rankings for the fifth consecutive year. “I really enjoyed the tournament in Kuala Lumpur last year, and it was the stepping stone for some of the amazing tennis I played over the next months. The organisation and atmosphere in Malaysia were both wonderful.”

Meanwhile, Cypriot Marcos Baghdatis, has this to say about his return, “Yeah I’m very happy, that’s why I’m coming. Last year was a good tournament for me. The organisers gave me a wildcard and they were really nice to me and I’m looking forward to playing again. Everything was perfect there: the hotel, the food, the people, the tournament, the courts.”

As well as all the on-court action, fans can meet the players at the twice daily autograph sessions, while the highly popular ‘Catch the Signed Ball’ promotion will be featured for the second year running, with hundreds of fantastic prizes to be won. There will also be entertainment, food, music, a clinic for Malaysia’s promising tennis juniors, and opportunities for fans to take part in the on-court coin toss and enjoy dinner in the player’s lounge. Get ready for a smashing good time.

Malaysian Open Kuala Lumpur
25 September – 3 October
Putra Stadium, Bukit Jalil Sports Complex
www.malaysianopentennis.com