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Somdev, Rohan receive wild
cards for Chennai Open

CHENNAI: Indian Davis Cup players Somdev
Devvarman and Rohan Bopanna have received wild
cards for the singles main draw of ATP Aircel
Chennai Open tennis tournament to be held here
from January 4-10. Somdev, ranked 126, was
the finalist here last year. He along with Sanam
Singh has received the wild card for the doubles
draw as well. Former World No.1 Carlos Moya from
Spain, who won here in 2004 and 2005, has
received a wild card for both singles and
doubles main draw. He will be partnering Indian
teen sensation Yuki Bhambri, ranked 338, for the
doubles. Confirming his participation,
Moya said: "My previous experience with the
tournament is that I will be competing against a
strong field. Spectators at the venue have been
very supportive of me over the years, motivating
me to perform to the best of my capabilities."
Ravi Krishnan, managing director, South Asia,
senior vice president, IMG, said: Indian tennis
stars and youth icons Somdev Devvarman, Rohan
Bopanna, Sanam Singh and Yuki Bhambri serve as
role models to the aspiring Indian youth, and it
is important that they appear in the only ATP
event in India." "Carlos Moya has been
instrumental in putting this tournament on the
global tennis map. In his comeback from injury,
we are delighted to grant him a wild Card on
what will be his seventh appearance at the
event.
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Karti Chidambaram, chairman of the
organizing committee said the decision on wild cards was
unanimously taken by IMG, the Organising Committee and
the All India Tennis Association (AITA). "It is
with great pleasure we welcome Carlos Moya for his
farewell visit to our tournament," Chidambaram said.
"The other two wild cards have been given to Somdev and
Rohan taking into account their herculean performances
in taking India to the Davis Cup World group after a gap
of 11 years. Somdev was runner-up of the tournament last
year and we look forward to another scintillating
performance from him. "Yuki Bhambri, who has a
very bright future, should learn a lot by playing with
Moya. The second doubles wild card has been given to
Somdev and Sanam after taking into account the potential
shown by Sanam in recent tournaments in the USA," he
said.