Chennai: Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan and N Sriram Balaji along with Ramkumar Ramanathan and Mohit Mayur have been given wild card entries into the doubles main draw of the ATP Aircel Chennai Open to be held here from January 2 to 8.
It will be their maiden appearance at the Chennai Open for the two wild card teams. Left-handed Nedunchezhiyan, at 556, is the highest-ranked singles player among the four all of whom are well-established in the national circuit.
As part of the Tamil Nadu Tennis Association's (TNTA) Advanced Players Programme, they have trained at the Schüttler-Waske Tennis University in Germany and Sanchez-Casal Academy in Spain.
Meanwhile, also making his debut at the Chennai Open is Spain's Nicolas Almagro, the world No 10 who is hoping to improve on his 2011 performance that saw him reaching three consecutive tour finals, and winning two of them.
The 26-year-old Almagro who reached a career-high ranking of nine in May said, "many people said to me that the (Chennai Open) tournament is really good and the city I am going to stay in a really good experience.
"I hope it will be a great week for me and for all the people and we need all the supporters to have an amazing atmosphere."
The Chennai Open will feature Serbian World No 9 Janko Tipsarevic, defending champion Swiss Stanislas Wawrinka and former champion Xavier Malisse of Belgium besides ATP World Tour's Newcomer of the Year Milos Raonic of Canada.
"I just want to try to play my best tennis and remain in the top 10, but I need to work very hard.
"I need to work on my physical and my mental strength. I need to improve my volley and try to be regular all the season," said Almagro.
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