India No. 1 Saketh Myneni, and Norway’s teen sensation Casper Ruud have been offered the last two wild cards for the upcoming Aircel Chennai Open.
Chennai’s Ramkumar Ramanathan was handed the first on Wednesday. Four more players will enter the player field through the qualifying rounds.
Myneni, reigning Asian Games mixed doubles gold and men’s doubles silver medallist, will make his fourth straight appearance at the event. He is currently World No. 194 and will lead the Indian challenge in the competition.
“I am thrilled to get a wild card entry for the event so early. I have enough time to prepare for it now,” he said. “This is India’s biggest tennis tournament and I love the atmosphere at the SDAT Stadium,” he added.
Norway’s Ruud, just 17-years-old, is an exciting prospect. He started the year as junior World No. 1, shifted focus to, and played in, the senior ITF futures circuit. He won his first singles title at Paguera, Spain, in February. He played in four finals after that, winning one of them.
Two months ago, he won his first ATP Challenger event at Copa Sevilla in his maiden attempt, becoming the fourth youngest player to do so. He will make his debut at the Chennai Open.
S.P.Misra, Chairman of AITA Selection Committee, and former Davis Cup Player said, "I’m delighted that two wild cards have been awarded to top Indian singles players - Saketh Myneni and Ramkumar Ramanathan. Both of them have played Davis Cup for India this year with great distinction. Chennai Open gives Indian tennis players a chance to improve their International ranking and prepare for the 2017 season."
“Ruud is a star to watch out for, a future great. I am sure Chennai fans will love him,” said Tom Annear, Tournament Director, Aircel Chennai Open.
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