India's Big Tennis !

The second ATP event of the calendar year, Aircel Chennai Open 2010 is set to kick off from January 3, a day after the Brisbane International begins in Australia. Being South Asia's only event on the map, India has always ensured that the event becomes a success. Players have been fairly positive about the Chennai Open, reiterating it  by their returns every year. The hard-court ATP 250 event has attracted many big names since its inception in 1996. Current World No.1, Rafael Nadal was a participant in 2008. Others include Carlos Moya, Robin Soderling, Boris Becker, Mikhail Youzhny, Marcos Baghdatis and Ivan Ljubicic.

This year's 32-player field is highlighted by six of the world's Top 50 including World No.6 Tomas Berdych, No.14 Marin Cilic, No.21 Stanislas Wawrinka, No.29 Richard Gasquet, Jeremy Chardy at 45 and wrapping up the Top 50 is Serbian Janko Tipsarevic at No.49. Czech No.1 Berdych who had a break-through season in 2010 by reaching the finals at Wimbledon and semi-finals at the French Open and consequently getting ranked inside the elite 10, will be coming straight from Abu Dhabi where he will be competing in Mubadala World Tennis Championship. Two time champion Cilic who won back-to-back titles in Chennai in 2009 and 2010 is set to defend his title, "I have played in Chennai for last four years and it has been a great tournament to play in. I feel good being in Chennai and so there is no reason to change.", he said in an interview.

Other players to watch out for are Japanese sensation Kei Nishikori who is currently ranked just inside the Top 100 at 99. The 20-year old from Shimane rose to glory in 2008 as a teenager with some unexpected wins against higher ranked players and was named 2008 ATP Newcomer of the Year. Indian representation includes Somdev Devvarman and wild cards Rohan Bopanna and Yuki Bhambri. Somdev, currently ranked 106, has enjoyed a great year in 2010 winning two gold medals for the country at the Commonwealth Games and very recently at the Asian Games in Guangzhou. The fact that he was a finalist here in 2009 defeating in the process, former world No.1 Carlos Moya and the Croat giant Ivo Karlovic, might also add to his confidence. India's future hope Bhambri is also expected to show a good display of tennis in the home country.

Tickets are already on sale for the USD 450,000 event to be held at the SDAT Tennis Stadium. Ten Sports will telecast a comprehensive live coverage of the week starting January 3.