Janko Tipsarevic, Nicolas Almagro to kick-off 2012 season in Chennai – Tennis News
Serbian World No.9, Janko Tipsarevic and Spanish World No.10, Nicolas Almagro Sanchez, will kick-off their 2012 season in Chennai, India. The star line up of 17th ATP Aircel Chennai Open tennis tournament consist of just one Indian
player, World No.85, Somdev Devvarman that will be the sole hope of local crowd to give them some sort of glory.
The tournament will be played from 2nd January, 2012 and will feature players that fall in above top 98 rankings of the world. It’s an emphatic improvement considering the fact that they started off with the players
from top 177 ranks and last year it shrunk to top 144 and this year it’s below top 100. So, it’s an amazing improvement and people of sub-continent will be glad to have such a hi-fi tournament at their disposal.
Cut-off of top 98 players have made this tournament, one of the elite tournaments contested in South Asian region. A lot of heavyweights that have been successful previously have confirmed their participation for the tournament,
next year including the likes of Belgian Xavier Malisse who won the tournament in 2007. He will be joined by the two times champion Croatian Marin Cilic who won here in 2009 and 2010.
Defending champion, Stanislas Wawrinka, will also make a return to the arena in a hope for his title defence next year. The overall line up for the tournament has greatly improved with a lot of elite players making their way to
the sub-continent to unleash their new season in thumping fashion.
While conducting a press conference that encompassed the announcement of the two top 10 players in Chennai tournament, M.A. Alagappan, Tennis Association President c*m Chairman Organising Committee said “Confirmation of top players
like Tipsarevic, Almargo, Cilic, twice winner of the tournament and young sensation Milos Raonic of Canada is testimony to the stature of Chennai Open.”
Alagappan was also thankful to other prestigious personalities that helped in organising the tournament. He was especially thankful to Chief Minister, Tamil Nadu, and his Sports Development Authority that helped them throughout
the arrangement of the tournament and provided their full support.
CEO of IMG Reliance, Ashu Jindal, was also present at the announcement ceremony of the 21 participants of the tournament and he said “Cut off of 98 for the coming event is the strongest field ever in 16 years for the tournament
being held here without break. The field of 21 direct entrants include two players in top ten, seven inside 50 on ATP ranking and another twelve inside hundred. 2012 Chennai Open will aim to set new benchmarks in all aspects and offer players and fans a great
tennis festival."
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