Chennai Open: Amritraj, Vardhan get wild cards

Chennai:

Top ranked Indian Prakash Amritraj and National Grass Court champion Vishnu Vardhan were among the three players given wild cards on Monday for the men's singles main draw of the Chennai Open tennis 2008.

Spain's Bartolome Salva Vidal was the other player to receive wild card for the December 31 - January 6 tournament to be played at the Nungambakkam Stadium, the organisers announced in Chennai.

Delhi's 13-year-old Yuki Bhambri, another promising youngster, was awarded the wild card for the qualifying rounds of the girls' category. The qualifying rounds will be held December 29 and 30.

"I am delighted to be given the opportunity to participate at Chennai Open 2008. 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," said Prakash Amritraj, son of legendary Vijay Amritraj.

"Undoubtedly, this year's field is the toughest but I'm looking forward to give my best playing alongside (Rafel) Nadal, (Xavier) Malisse, (Marcos) Baghdatis, (Carlos) Moya, (Mikhail) Youzhny and others."

Prakash, 24, along with Rohan Bopanna, was the runner-up in the doubles category at the 206 Chennai Open.

This time, Bopanna will not be seen as he would be representing India at the Hopman's Cup in Australia.