Aircel Chennai Open: Players to watch out for

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.