Julien Boutter, tied for No.56 in the world with Jerome Golmard, was seeded No.1 in The Tennis Masters Series Cincinnati Qualifier that begins today and concludes Sunday at the ATP Tennis Center.

        Seventeen of the 32 players entered in the qualifier are Americans, including up and coming stars Phillip King, Mardy Fish, Paul Goldstein and Jeff Morrison.

IF YOU GO

• Seniors Championship: 7 p.m. today. Tickets $8 $12.   • Qualifier: 10 a.m. sessions today and Sunday. Adult tickets $10, kids 14 and under admitted free.   • Main draw: Tennis Masters Series Cincinnati tournament begins play Monday. Ticket prices range from $18 to $40, depending on the session (tickets remain for all sessions). Call (513) 651-0303 or (513) 562-4949 for info or tickets.   Check the bracket

        “A lot of people asked about the young Americans,” Tennis Masters Series Cincinnati Director Bruce Flory said. “This will be a good chance for fans to see these players as well as the top players who will be practicing.”

        Another top player in the qualifier is No.2 seeded Ivan Ljubicic, who beat Andre Agassi in a second round match early this week in Montreal, Canada.

        The top seeded American is veteran Chris Woodruff. He is matched against another American, Mike Bryan, while Jeff Morrison, the 1999 NCAA singles championwho played for Florida, meets Bryan's twin brother, Bob.

        There will be 16 matches today and eight on Saturday with the eight winners earning a spot in the main draw that begins on Monday.

        NOT IN TOWN: Six players withdrew from the Tennis Masters Series Cincinnati main draw, including three in the top 10 of the ATP Champions Race.

        Sebastien Grosjean (knee), Alex Corretja (leg), Roger Federer (groin), Mark Philippoussis (knee), Marcelo Rios (ankle) and Richard Krajicek (elbow) are taking the week off to rest injuries. Krajicek had surgery March 29 to repair a damaged tendon in his right elbow.

        Corretja had played here six consecutive years. Grosjean hurt himself playing soccer tennis last week in Florida. Federer, who turns 20 this week, knocked Pete Sampras out of Wimbledon this year. Krajicek, who had received a wild card, had played here nine years in a row.

        LUCKY MAN: American James Blake, 21, received the wild card that was originally going to Krajicek. This will be Blake's first appearance in the main draw here.

        Today's schedule
        (Matches begin at 10 a.m. on each court)

        Stadium
        Stefn Koubek vs. Paul Goldstein
        Jeff Morrison vs. Bob Bryan
        Mardy Fish vs. Daniel Nestor
        Chris Woodruff vs. Mike Bryan.

       Grandstand
        David Wheaton vs. Sebastien Lareau
        Felix Mantilla vs. Ronald Agenor
        Cecil Mamiit vs. Alex O'Brien
        Arnaud Di Pasquale vs. Robby Ginepri.

       Court Three
        Phillip King vs. Justin Gimelstob
        Vincent Spadea vs. Jamie Delgado
        Ivan Ljubicic vs. Jim Thomas
        Todd Woodbridge vs. Wayne Black.

       Court Four
        Julien Boutter vs. Jeff Salzenstein
        Martin Lee vs. Magnus Larsson
        Glenn Weiner vs. Paradorn Srichaphan
        Jeff Tarango vs. Byron Black.

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