Tennis latest: Michael Venus granted wild card entry into the main draw of 2011 Heineken Open
New Zealand’s top ranked tennis player, Michael Venus has been given a wildcard for the 2011 Heineken Open, starting next month in Auckland on Tuesday.
Currently ranked No. 328 in the South African Airways ATP list, the right handed Michael will take part in the main draw of the event for the very first time in his career.
The 23-year old, who started the season ranked close to 600, achieved his career best ranking of No. 302 earlier this year in November. He posted his best result in 2010 by making his way into the final of the Challenger event
before losing to the then World No. 160 Blaz Kavcic from Slovenia in two sets. His other season highlights include the Future trophy in the United States and a quarterfinal appearance at a Challenger competition in Uzbekistan.
Michael has played in an ATP main draw only once before in his career. After receiving a wild card entry into the main draw of Washington back in 2006, the Kiwi tennis ace couldn’t even win his opening round as he was bundled out
in straight sets.
His participation into the main draw of the 2011 Heineken Open was confirmed by the director of the tournament earlier in the morning.
"Michael is a tall player with a big serve. He is fresh with a different style of play. He is a new name to tennis people in this country. It will be a big test for him, but it is also a great opportunity for him to try and take,”
said Richard Palmer, the director on Tuesday.
The competition will begin on January 10th and end on the 15th in the city of Auckland. Other wild card entrants include Nicolas Almagro of Spain, who is currently ranked No. 15 in the world. He will play
in the tournament seeded second to win the title.
The last wild card is kept till the last moment in case World No.5 Robin Soderling of Sweden, bundled out in the initial round at the Brisbane International during the opening week of January, requires further practice ahead of
the first major event in Melbourne.
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