Aircel Chennai Open: Players to watch out for

The 2014 ATP season kicks off with multiple ATP 250 events in Brisbane, Doha and Chennai. The Aircel Chennai Open in its 18^th edition would have some top ranked players fighting it out to get ready for the first slam of the year at Melbourne Park. However, fans would be disappointed with the withdrawal of defending champion Janko Tipsarevic due to a heel-tendon rupture. Despite the absence of the Serb, there are a lot of exciting and budding talents to watch out for at the SDAT stadium this New Year.

1) Stanislas Wawrinka

LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 10: Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland hits a forehand in his men

Stanislas Wawrinka had an exceptional 2013 as he reached a career high ranking of number 8 in the world. The 2011 Chennai Open winner also reached his first ever grand slam semifinal at Flushing Meadows. With multiple victories against top 10 players, the Swiss secured his first ever ATP World tour final spot. Wawrinka reached the semis in London, eventually losing out to world number 1 Novak Djokovic. The top seed in Chennai would be aiming to record his 300^th match win during the tournament. Being the only top 10 player in the draw, Wawrinka would be the firm favourite to lift the title.

2) Mikhail Youzhny

BANGKOK, THAILAND – SEPTEMBER 27: Mikhail Youzhny of Russia plays a shot in his match against Richard Gasquet of France during the 2013 Thailand Open at Impact Arena on September 27, 2013 in Bangkok, Thailand. (Photo by Thananuwat Srirasant/Getty Images)

Mikhail Youzhny has been one of those players who have always remained in the top level of world tennis. The Russian 2^nd seed is returning to Chennai after a triumph way back in 2008. In the 2008 final, Youzhny had demolished Rafael Nadal in straight sets 6-0 6-1 to lift the trophy at the Nungambakkam tennis stadium. The world number 15 Youzhny had a decent 2013 winning 2 titles in Valencia and Gstaad. He is a tricky customer for any opponent and his experience would put him as a front runner for the trophy on 5^th January.

3) Somdev Devvarman

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – SEPTEMBER 24: Somdev Devvarman of India in action against Matteo Viola of Italy during day two of the 2013 Malaysian Open at Putra Stadium on September 24, 2013 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. (Photo by Stanley Chou/Getty Images)

After a resurgent 2013, Indian tennis ace Somdev Devvarman is back to the top 100 in the world. Some withdrawals from the tournament ensured that Somdev would get a direct entry into the main draw of the tournament. Being his home tournament, Somdev Devvarman would have the full crowd support behind him. The Chennai resident’s best performance came way back in 2009 when he reached the final of the tournament. Devvarman would aim to replicate that performance and go one step higher to win his maiden ATP tour title.

4) Fabio Fognini

Fabio Fognini during his first round match with Simone Bolelli against Leander Paes & Alexander Peya.

Fabio Fognini sprung into the limelight after a splendid display on the clay courts of Europe. Fognini won his maiden title in Hamburg and topped it up with another trophy in Stuttgart. If not for a determined Robredo, the Italian would have made a hat-trick of wins in Croatia. The world number 16 last played in Chennai in 2012 losing in the first round to Dudi Sela. After a career best 2013, Fognini would want to start the 2014 season with a bang at the Aircel Chennai Open.

5) Vasek Pospisil

Vasek Pospisil at the ATP World Tournament

23 year old Vasek Pospisil had an outstanding year in 2013. The Canadian started the year ranked a lowly 128 but on the back of some brilliant performances broke into the top 50 in the world. Pospisil had an extremely good run in the Canadian tournaments. After winning the challenger in Vancouver, he entered the Montreal Masters with a wild card.Surprising many tennis pundits, the young Canadian overcame higher ranked Tomas Berdych and John Isner en route to the semis. Pospisil eventually lost to fellow Canadian Milos Raonic in the semifinal clash.He improved his ranking further by reaching the semis in Basel. This exciting young player could be the next top 10 player and would be one of the young talents to watch out for in Chennai.

The Chennai Open would also feature 2013 finalist Roberto Bautista Agut, last year’s semifinalist Benoit Paire along with Spaniard Marcel Granollers. The Indian contingent would include Yuki Bhambri and Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan along with Somdev Devvarman in the singles draw.