5 things to look forward to at the 2015 Aircel Chennai Open

The Aircel Chennai Open begins in a couple of days from now, and there is plenty of excitement surrounding India’s premier ATP tournament. Several top players look at the event as ideal preparation for the year’s first Grand Slam, the Australian Open.The Chennai Open has witnessed some epic matches over the years and continues to attract big names who are keen to start their season on a high.Aircel has supported the event over the years and believes that the tournament provides the perfect opportunity for Indian players to take on the world’s best in front of the home fans. Here are five things to look forward to at this year’s edition:

#5 Participation of Indian players

Somdev Devvarman and Ramkumar Ramanathan

Somdev Devvarman and Ramkumar Ramanathan have been given wildcards for the tournament. Devvarman’s best result on the ATP tour came at the Chennai Open in 2009 when he reached the final as a wildcard entrant. The Indian beat former French Open champion Carlos Moya and the big serving Ivo Karlovic to reach the summit clash.

Ramanathan meanwhile has been showing plenty of promise over the last few years with terrific performances in national tournaments. He also played in the Champions Tennis League with the likes of Venus Williams and Feliciano Lopez for the Bangalore Raptors. He is keen on putting up a show in front of his home fans in Chennai.

#4 The tremendous fan response

Fans have always come out in large numbers for the Aircel Chennai Open

Any tournament cannot a success without the support of the fans. And the Chennai Open sees fans turning out in large numbers year after year. Who wants to miss out on good quality tennis, right? The crowds are knowledgeable about the sport and their efforts in cheering on their favourites are fully recognized by the players, who use the support as inspiration to perform well.

The Aircel Chennai Open is India’s only ATP event and gets tremendous response form fans who are ready to feast on top tennis action.

#3 Two decades of terrific tennis

The Aircel Chennai Open enters 20th year this season

The Chennai Open enters its 20th year in 2015, and it has been quite a journey so far. From Thomas Enqvist becoming the first singles champion and fans thronging the stadium to catch a gilmpse of Boris Becker in 1998, to Rafael Nadal’s epic win over his compatriot and idol Carlos Moya in 2008 and Somdev Devvarman beating Moya and Ivo Karlovic en route to the final in 1999, the fans have witnessed some magical moments over the last two decades.

The tournament grows in strength year after year, and promises top notch tennis each time.

#2 Mahesh Bhupathi\'s comeback

Mahesh Bhupathi’s comeback is eagerly awaited by fans across the world

After being out of the game for nearly a year, doubles specialist Mahesh Bhupathi is returning to the ATP tour with the Chennai Open. He will partner 27-year-old Saketh Myneni in the doubles, and the pair have been granted wildcards for the tournament.

Bhupathi has won five doubles titles in Chennai and is looking forward to start the new season on a bright note. The brain behind the International Premier Tennis League (IPTL), Bhupathi has won an impressive 52 titles in his career so far and will look to add one more in Chennai.

#1 Strong field of players

The 2015 Chennai Open will see the participation of several top players

Several top players in the world converge in Chennai for India’s top ATP tournament. The line-up for this year includes the likes of Australian Open champion Stan Wawrinka, World No. 14 and 15 Feliciano Lopez and Roberto Bautista Agut, 2014 Comeback Player of the Year and Basel Open finalist David Goffin, Guillermo Garcia Lopez and others.

The fans can expect some exciting tennis and nerve-wracking matches as each player tries to start the season on a high with a victory in Chennai.