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Wawrinka gets a wild card

Chennai: Stanislas Wawrinka, World No. 21, has been awarded the first of the three wild cards for the Aircel Chennai Open tennis tournament, it was announced at a press conference here on Wednesday.

Confirming Wawrinka's participation, IMG South Asia Managing Director Ravi Krishnan said the presence of last edition's finalist would make the current field one of the tournament's strongest ever.

“Six players from the top 50 and nine from the top 70 will be taking part this year. His (Wawrinka) participation further increases the depth of an already impressive field,” he said.

Joining the Swiss will be World No. 6 Tomas Berdych, defending champion Marin Cilic and tournament regulars Janko Tipsarevic and Richard Gasquet.

Wawrinka had missed the registration, having decided to skip the event, but later changed his mind and requested the organising committee for a wild card.

Chairman of the Aircel Chennai Open Organising Committee Karti P. Chidambaram also affirmed that Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi would be teaming up. “It was here (Chennai Open 1997) that they won their first title and I hope it will help launch another successful phase for them,” he said.

Online ticketing, making its debut at the Chennai Open, is already in full swing while tickets will also be available over the counters from December 24. Ravi Krishnan said online ticketing, alongside Chennai Open's Facebook home page and Twitter feed, were designed to make ‘access to the Chennai Open easier.

Also present was TNTA President M.A. Alagappan. — Sports Reporter

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