India's Prakash Amritraj and Karan Rastogi have received wild card entries for the Chennai Open 2007, which begins from January 1, 2007 at SDAT, Nungambakkam Tennis Stadium. But the organisers, IMG, sprung a surprise by awarding the third wild card to Bartolome Salva-Vidal of Spain, who hails from the island city of Mallorca.
Vishal Uppal and Ashutosh Singh received the wild card for the doubles main draw for the ATP event.
Salva-Vidal, ranked 362 in the world, hails from the hometown of Rafael Nadal and Carlos Moya, who lead the impressive field at this year's tournament.
India's top ranked player Rohan Bopanna will not participate in the tournament as he is scheduled to play the Hopman Cup, beginning in Perth on December 30.
Davis Cupper Amritraj, who was sidelined with a wrist injury since June, returned to competitive tennis with the US$ 15,000 ITF Futures in New Delhi earlier this week. The 23-year-old had finished runner-up with Rohan Bopanna in the doubles event last year.
"I am delighted to be given the opportunity to participate at Chennai Open 2007," said Amritraj on Thursday. "I have always performed well at the tournament and it is one event that I look forward to as it is more of a home-coming of sorts. Undoubtedly, this year's field is quite challenging and I am looking forward to give my best."
More from rediff