Paes gets wildcard for Tata Open

The ace doubles pair of Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi have been given singles wildcards for the $400,000 Tata Indian Open 2002, beginning in Chennai on December 31.

Tournament director Sheila Maniam said Paes is being given a wildcard because he is the number one player of the country and also a crowd-puller in Chennai.

According to a statement from the organisers, Paes, while confirming his entry said it gives him a '"sentimental boost" to play in the Tamil Nadu capital.

"I am looking forward to start the new year with the Chennai Open," he added.

Paes will compete against the best-ever field in the sixth edition of the tournament, which includes Guillermo Canas, Thomas Johansson, Fabrice Santoro, Andrei Pavel, Dominik Hrbaty and Max Mirnyi.

Bhupathi, who was earlier given a wildcard, told newspersons in Chennai on Wednesday morning, he too is keen to start the year with the Tata Open.