Chennai, Jan 2 (Inditop.com) Indian Davis Cup stars Somdev Devvarman and Rohan Bopanna, both wild card entries, have drawn strong first round opponents in the $400,000 Aircel Chennai Open tennis tournament that commences here Monday.
The 24-year old US-based Devvarman, ranked 127 and a finalist here last year, will take on Rainer Schuettler of Germany, a former top-10 player.
Incidentally, the two were to meet in the semi-finals here last year, but the German pulled out owing to injury and Devvarman, figuring in his maiden ATP final, eventually lost to Marin Cilic of Croatia, who is seeded second this time around.
“I was to play him (Schuettler) last year, but didn’t. It will be a tough match,” said Devvarman who was hopeful of going one better this year.
Bopanna, the 29-year old Bangalorean, is up against third seed Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland, currently ranked 21, in the first round.
The 24-year old Swiss, who beat compatriot Roger Federer en route to the semi-finals of the Rolex Masters in Monte Carlo last year, was hoping to mark his presence at the Chennai Open following his first round exit last year.
Meanwhile, top seed Robin Soderling of Sweden, the highest ranked player in the singles draw at No.8, will meet Robby Ginepri of the US while Cilic takes on Igor Kunistyn of Russia.
Long-time favourite and former French Open champion Carlos Moya, said to be on his last appearance at the Chennai Open, after receiving a wild card, faces fourth seed Janko Tipsarevic of Serbia.
The seedings:
1. Robin Soderling (Sweden, No.8); 2. Marin Cilic (Croatia, 14); 3. Stanislas Wawrinka (Switzerland, 21); 4. Janko Tipsarevic (Serbia, 38); 5. Dudi Sela (Israel, 43); 6. Simon Greul (Germany, 59); 7. Michael Berrer (Germany, 74); Rajeev Ram (US, 79).
rounak