India's singles challengers at the Chennai Open today drew tough first round opponents as Yuki Bhambri was pitted against world number 56 Dutch Robin Haase while comeback man Somdev Devvarman will open his campaign against Czech Jann Hajek, ranked 106.
Both Yuki, ranked 217, and Somdev Devvarman (663) have been granted wild card entries into the top ATP tournament.
Somdev, who rose to 63 in the singles ranking in 2011, had reached the singles final here in 2009 but a shoulder injury put a brake on his progress.
"I have trained hard and happy that I do not experience any pain on my shoulder and it is working well. I am looking forward to staying healthy in the whole new season. I am playing Jann Hajek for the first time," he said.
Yuki Bhambri, who has had some decent results last year, will also be playing his rival Robin Haase for the first time on ATP tour.
Meanwhile, the top four seeds in the tournament, starting from world no. 6 Thomas Berdych, Janko Tipsarevic (9) of Serbia, Croat Marin Cilic, twice winner of the title here, and world no. 17 and defending champion Stanislas Wawrinka have been granted byes into the second round.
