India No. 1 Mukund Sasikumar was on Wednesday handed a wild card entry for the fifth version of the ATP Tata Open Maharashtra, scheduled on the Balewadi Stadium right here from December 31 to January 7.
The 25-year-old Chennai-born participant would be the first wildcard entrant this yr because the powerful singles discipline consists of 17 top-100 gamers, together with the previous Grand Slam champion Marin Cilic and final yr’s runner-up Emil Ruusuvuori.
In September, Mukund received the ITF Future occasion in Portugal — his first title in 5 years, and in addition completed runner-up at an ITF 15 occasion in Egypt earlier this month.
“That is India’s event and we’re dedicated to supply a platform to Indian gamers, serving to them get the much-needed alternatives. We’re delighted to offer a wildcard to Mukund Sasikumar; he’s the highest ranked Indian in the intervening time. I hope he’ll benefit from this chance and put up some spectacular performances in entrance of the house followers,” stated Prashant Sutar, Match Director of Tata Open Maharashtra and Chairman of Maharashtra State Garden Tennis Affiliation.
“Enjoying large tournaments like Tata Open Maharashtra at all times helps gamers to spice up their confidence, particularly if you compete in opposition to a number of the world’s greatest athletes. Mukund Sasikumar is certainly one of India’s proficient gamers and this event has at all times inspired Indian participation. It will likely be an awesome alternative for him to showcase his recreation and get invaluable expertise as we’ve a aggressive discipline this yr with some large names,” stated Sunder Iyer, Joint Secretary of All India Tennis Affiliation and Secretary of Maharashtra State Garden Tennis Affiliation.
This shall be Mukund’s second major draw look on the Tata Open Maharashtra after his maiden outing within the third version. The World No. 340 featured within the qualifiers final yr. Yuki Bhambri will compete within the qualifiers.
This story has been printed from a wire company feed with out modifications to the textual content.