体坛英语新闻：Spanish tennis star Nadal returns to Argentina Open after 10 years

BUENOS AIRES, Feb. 22 (Xinhua) -- Spanish tennis star Rafael Nadal returns to Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) Buenos Aires, the annual male tennis tournament held in Argentina's capital, after a 10-year absence, local media reported Sunday.

Nadal will hold a press conference on Monday and he will debut on Wednesday night.

The Spanish tennis star was eliminated from Rio Open, held in Brazil's city of Rio de Janeiro, after losing the semifinal match against Italian Fabio Fognini last Saturday.

Nadal will try to regain his influence in Argentina Open, 10 years after his first participation in 2005.

The Spanish player will debut directly in the tournament's second round on Wednesday night against the winner of the match between his compatriot Albert Montanes and a rival from the qualifying stage.

He expects to become champion, carrying on the tradition of Spanish players of winning ATP Buenos Aires. In the last six years, Spanish players have been champions including Tommy Robredo (2009), Juan Carlos Ferrero (2010), Nicolas Almagro (2011) and David Ferrer (2012, 2013 and 2014).

Besides Nadal, other contenders favorite to win are Robredo, Uruguaytn Pablo Cuevas, Sao Paulo champion Italian Fognini and Argentine Leonardo Mayer.

The Argentina Open is part of ATP World Tour 250 Series and is the fourth and last tournament of the South American tour.