Help
12/30/08 5:09 PM | Ricky Dimon
Chennai, India will kick off the 2009 ATP year with the Chennai Open, one of three season-opening tournaments. Somdev Devvarman appears to be India's best hope to make some serious noise.
India has been lacking a singles star on the ATP Tour, but two players will be hoping to turn that around starting with the Chennai Open, which helps kick off the 2009 season. Prakash Amritraj and Somdev Devvarman have received wild cards into the event.
Devvarman, ranked 204th in the world but on a steady rise ever since the spring, especially gives Indian some hope. The former University of Virginia star won back-to-back NCAA singles titles in 2007 and 2008 and after leaving college, he won four straight Challenger events over this spring and summer.
Devvarman received an added bonus this off-season in the form of an extended training session with Andy Roddick, which lasted for three weeks.
“It was originally supposed to be a ten-day session, but Roddick decided to extend it to three weeks," explained Devvarman. "Hitting with one of the best in the world helped me a lot, and I got a chance to see what goes into making a top tennis player. His work ethic, decision-making during matches, and the maturity that comes with all that is incredible. I’ve improved a lot in these three weeks.”
Amritraj, meanwhile, reached the final of the Hall of Fame Championships in Newport, Rhode Island this summer, losing to Fabrice Santoro. He enters 2009 ranked 210th in the world.
Tell a friend »
Scan QR code to access Unibet mobile.
Bet on Sports wherever you are and whenever you like, with Unibet's quick and simple mobile client you can place bets, check results and see live odds.
For more info about QR codes & scanners click here.
Contact us
/ About us
/ Cookies
/ Recommended links
/ Advertise
/ Sitemap
Tennistalk v1.5.0
Disclaimer © 2001-2012, Moneytainment Media Ltd - All rights reserved
If players of Roddick's caliber are seen helping younger talents in the Asian subcontinents, then I'm sure countries like India are bound to make a mark in world tennis sooner or later.
hewitt , 1/1/09 7:43 PM