Chennai:
India's best hopes in the $400,000 Aircel Chennai Open tournament, Somdev Devvarman and Rohan Bopanna, who have both been given wild-cards have got pretty tough draws in the opening round.
India's top singles player in the ATP, Somdev Devvarman, will play German veteran Rainer Schuettler, the same man who gave him a walkover in the semis last year, in the opening round.
While Bopanna will run into Stanislas Wawrinka (Switzerland, World No.21). The top players however walked away with relatively easy draws.
Top seed and Robin Soderling (Sweden, World No 8), who shocked Roger Federer in an exhibition event in Abu Dhabi on Friday will play Robby Ginepri (USA, World No 100). This will be Soderling's debut at the Chennai Open, the only ATP World Tour event in the country.
Defending champion Marin Cilic, the 21-year-old Croatian, will take on 104th ranked Russian Igor Kunitsyn. Cilic, who was present at the draw ceremony, remains cautious of the strong field this time around.
"Starting the tournament is always crucial. I hope I play well and continue the good streak that I had last year here. I am hoping to get some good points and hope to play some good tennis," Cilic said. "I have never played him before," he added.
Meanwhile, last year's losing finalist Somdev will be tested in round one itself. Somdev got a lucky walkover from Schuettler in the semifinal last year. Somdev admits he is up against an equal and experienced challenger in the 33-year-old German.
"I missed out playing him last year when I reached the final. It will be an interesting match", Somdev told www.espnstar.com soon after the draw ceremony. He added, "It's a good draw. No match is easy. I know I have the work cut out for me. It's deja vu again.
"I am just looking forward to playing a good match and playing well. I am very well prepared. After the off-season work, more than anything, I am excited to get down there on the court," Somdev said.
Somdev, ranked 127, is willing to take high expectations as part of the game and said he's not too bothered about defending points, "No, not really. I am here to have fun and doing the same old thing," he said.
Third seed and world No.21 Wawrinka of Switzerland stands in the way of Indian wild-card entrant, Bopanna. But, an unfazed Bopanna is looking forward to make the most of the free entry.
"I have been having a good off-season. Always love to play in Chennai. I hope to make use of the opportunity the organizers have given me through a wild card. I will definitely try and make use of it on the first day," Bopanna said.
Speaking on his partnership with doubles ace Mahesh Bhupathi, Bopanna added, "It's a great opportunity for me to play with Mahesh. Playing here in India always provides me a great atmosphere. I had a great two weeks in training and I am absolutely fit."
Another wildcard and fan-favourite, Carlos Moya has to quell a Serbian challenge in the first round to keep the interest alive. The former No.1 and two-time Chennai Open champion has to get past No.4 seed Janko Tipsarevic in Round 1 of the singles event.
Fifth seed and world No. 43 Dudi Sela of Israel has been pitted against Denis Istomin of Uzbekistan, who is ranked 102 in the world.
That's a cool draw for the big guns, but Chennai is known to throw many surprises in the opening round itself!