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Chennai: Holder and world No. 17 Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland faces a daunting task to retain his title as the 17th edition of ATP Chennai Open unfolds here, on Monday, promising a keen tussle among top players.
The Indian interest would revolve around local hero and 2009 finalist Somdev Dev Varman, the lone hope in the singles, and the doubles duos of Leander Paes, who has paired with Janko Tipsarevic, and Mahesh Bhupathi and Rohan Bopanna.
Indian wild cards Yuki Bhambri and Vishnu Vardhan have very limited chance of progressing to the second round. Among the past champions, only Spaniard Carlos Moya and Croat Marin Celic have successfully defended their singles titles as the lone ATP event in South Asia has acquired the reputation of throwing new winners.
Singles top seed and world no.9 Tipsarevic is seen as a clear favourite in the $450,000 prize money event promises its share of close matches reflecting the depth in men’s tennis with a cut off rank of 98.
Wawrinka was cautious after the draw, on Saturday, saying the growth of youngsters on the tour has been stronger and none could be sure of remaining in top-20, though the top four have been winning the Grand Slam titles.
Somdev, ranked 84, might run into Wawrinka in the second round if he clears the first round hurdle against French Eric Prodon, placed 13 spots below the Indian in ranking ladder. But, the Indian, who made the final here in 2009 as a wildcard, will have to raise his game and not take the first round opponent lightly.
Twice champions Moya and Celic have failed to win the title for a third time. In 2006, Moya was shown the door by Croatian Ivan Ljubicic, pouring cold waters on hat-trick hopes of the Spaniard. Only on two occasions, the top seeds — Guillermo Canas of Argentina in 2002 and Patrick Rafter of Australia in 1998 — have lived up to their billing.
Other contenders in the main draw would exert every sinew to start the new season on a positive note ahead of the season’s first Grand Slam Australian Open. Notable among them are Nicolas Almagro (world No.10) and 20-year old Milos Raonic.
The 26-year old Somdev reached his career-high ranking of 62 in July 2010 but failed to sustain in the highly competitive Tour tournaments despite reaching the final in Johannesburg.
Breaking into top-100 in August 2010, Somdev’s hopes of making the top-50 in 2011 did not materialise but he remains the lone Indian hope in the men’s singles. It will be interesting to see whether the spectators support Leander and his partner Tipsarevic or Mahesh and Bopanna if the two combines happen to meet midway the doubles draw or the final.
Paes and Bhupathi had been the darling of the crowd as they had did the country proud winning the doubles title on five occasions when they played as partners.
Bhupathi and Bopanna pair has been given the top billing in the main draw and Americans Scott Lipsky and Rajeev Ram are the second seeds followed by Leander and Tipsarevic.
Somdev is also playing in the doubles event, teaming up with Treat Huey of the Philippines and take on Paes/Tipservic in the first round.
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