The Hindu Business Line : Deuce & Love

IT IS TIME FOR TENNIS LOVERS IN CHENNAI to switch off their television sets and catch the action live. One of South Asia’s largest global sporting events and India’s first ATP International Series tennis tournament, Chennai Open 2008, is entering its 13th edition.

Players

World No 2 Rafael Nadal (Spain) will be making his third appearance at the event. He is joined by Australian Open 2006 runner-up, World No 16 Marcos Baghdatis (Cyprus), two-time Chennai Open champion (2004-2005) and World No 17 Carlos Moya (Spain) and Mikhail Youzhny (Russia), who incidentally will be making his first appearance at Chennai Open. Complementing this line-up of four Top 20 players is the defending champion and winner of doubles at Chennai Open 2007, Xavier Malisse (Belgium).

The increased prize money of $4,36,000 has added more excitement to this sporting event.

Charity evening

IMG, organiser of the event, in association with Rolex, the official time-keeper, has organised a ‘Charity Evening’, an auction of tennis memorabilia autographed by players such as Maria Sharapova, Roger Federer and more. The auction will be held on the eve of the tournament on December 30, 2007. The proceeds will be donated to two Chennai-based NGOs — Tanker Foundation (Tamil Nadu Kidney Research Foundation) and Balavidyalaya — School for Young Deaf Children.

Chennai Open 2008 will be held from December 31, 2007 to January 6, 2008 and season tickets cost Rs 1,500, Rs 1,000 and Rs 500.

While the event has been shown live on ESPN Star Sports for the past few years, this year Zee Sports will be the TV partners. So, if you are not in Chennai, you know where to catch the action!