The halfway point of the off-season is rapidly approaching, which means that we are less than 40 days away from the commencement of the 2016 tennis season. In less than five weeks, Stan Wawrinka and Kevin Anderson will be just some of the players returning to action at the 2016 Aircel Chennai Open. An ATP 250 event held in the Indian city of Chennai, this tournament has a rich history, and will beginning its 21st edition in the new year.
Wawrinka, Anderson Headline Field
Headlining the 2016 field will be three-time champion Stanislas Wawrinka. The world number four is coming off of an excellent season, which was highlighted by his magical title run on the clay of Roland Garros. For the fifth year in succession, the Swiss number two will begin his season in Chennai, a city that has become his lucky charm in the last two years. “Aircel Chennai Open is a great way to start the season, and I look forward to my eighth year at the tournament.” Wawrinka said. “The last 2 years have been extra special since I have gone on to win a Grand Slam each year after a winning start here in Chennai. So, Chennai has become like my good luck charm now!”
“Being a landmark year for the tournament, I hope to reclaim my title and make this year even more special. I congratulate the organizers for bringing out this exciting contest year after year and look forward to many more landmark editions of the Aircel Chennai Open.”
World number 12 Kevin Anderson will make his debut in India as the second seed behind Wawrinka. The South African is coming off a career-best year at the age of 29, which has become the most common time for a player to reach their peak nowadays. As a result of reaching his first Grand Slam quarterfinal, Anderson broke into the top 10 for the very first time, becoming the first South African to do so in 18 years.
Paire, Bautista Agut, Pospisil, Bhambri Round Out Field
Rounding out the field will include the likes of Benoit Paire, Roberto Bautista Agut, Guillermo Garcia-Lopez, Gilles Muller, Vasek Pospisil, Borna Coric and Aljaz Bedene -- last year's runner-up, all of which are in the top 50. Among the Indians, world number 91 Yuki Bhambri will attempt to make a splash at the only ATP tournament in India, a tournament where he has won just three of his seven matches. With that being said, Bhambri had a great end to 2014 which included winning the ATP Challenger title in Pune.
The Aircel Chennai Open is set to begin on January 4th, 2016.