CHENNAI: In January 2006, armed with almost identical rankings in singles (World No 266) and doubles (No 277), Rohan Bopanna started his Chennai Open campaign alongside partner Prakash Amritraj. It was his second Tour-level event, the first ending in the opening round at the same place four years earlier.
However, in a reversal of fortune, the move paid off. Bopanna fell in the round of 16 in singles, but he and Amritraj reached the final, overcoming opposition ranked a lot higher than them along the way. It was a big moment for the Bengalurean, whose singles ranking continued to slide thereafter, while he kept rising in doubles.
Presently ranked No 28, Bopanna will headline the Indian field at the 2017 Chennai Open. The 2010 US Open finalist will partner Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan, a son of the city. The duo had joined hands to reach the quarterfinals in Chengdu, China, in late September.
Three more all-Indian teams will vie for the trophy. Direct entrants Purav Raja (No 65) and Divij Sharan (No 63) as well as wild card combinations of N Sriram Balaji-Vishnu Vardhan and Saketh Myneni-Ramkumar Ramanathan. Eighteen-time Grand Slam winner Leander Paes, who owns six Chennai Open trophies, will also be in the fray, partnering Andre Sa of Brazil.
Speaking to SS, Bopanna stated he held the event in high regard and felt the time was right to return ‘home’ after a gap of two years. While he didn’t play an early January event this year, he participated in Brisbane last season, where he suffered a first round loss.
“I’ve missed playing in Chennai for a couple of years now. It’s always nice to have a home tournament. Chennai has been a good hunting ground for me in the past — I reached my first-ever ATP doubles final there in 2006. That’s a great memory to have,” the former No 3 said.
Bopanna added that partnering Neduncheziyan, who is ranked a career-high No 100 in doubles, was an added incentive since they did pretty well the only time they came together a few months back. The 36-year-old veteran was all praise for his younger compatriot’s improved game.
“The other thing is, this time, I’m playing alongside Jeevan, which makes it special. Getting the chance to partner an Indian for an ATP event is something of a rarity. He is from Chennai and we reached the quarterfinals together in Chengdu last year.”