By IANS
Chennai : Prakash Amritraj and Vishnu Vardhan, the two Indians who received wild card entry into the $ 436,000 ATP Chennai Open tennis commencing here on Monday, will need to play “high quality tennis” if they hope to make progress, according to former Indian Davis Cupper Vijay Amritraj.
Commenting on chances of Indian players in the week-long tournament, Amritraj said of his 24-year old son Prakash, ranked No.279: “He might be playing a qualifier (still to be identified) in the first round, but that means nothing. Prakash has been playing well, but then, it will not be easy for him in this tournament.”
He said much the same of Vishnu Vardhan, the 23-year old National Grasscourt champion. Vardhan is drawn to meet Edouard Roger-Vasselin (France) in the first round.
“I have played Edouard’s father during my days on the tour,” recalled Vijay in lighter vein, but felt that Vardhan has a difficult task on hand to get past his first round opponent.
Roger-Vasselin, the six-foot two-inch 24-year old, broke into top-100 this year and is presently ranked No.97. He was a wild card entry at the French Open where he reached the third round.
“So, I would say that both the Indian players have a tough draw, and both will need to play really high quality tennis to advance in the tournament,” Vijay said.