Prakash Amritraj, Paes get wild cards for Tata Open

Prakash Amritraj, son of Indian tennis legend Vijay Amritraj, and Davis Cupper Leander Paes have been given wild cards for the main draw in the Tata ATP Open World Tour tennis event, to be held in Chennai for the seventh successive year, from December 30 to January 5.

Nineteen-year-old Prakash had won the singles title at the USTA Super National hardcourt championships, which earned him a wild card for the US Open, where he lost to Paradorn Srichaphan of Thailand in the first round.

Srichaphan, the rising star from Thailand, who is ranked 16th in the world following last week's Paris Masters, has also confirmed his participation. He was the runner-up in the last edition of the tournament.

IMG South Asia managing director Ravi Krishnan said: "We have chosen Prakash for the wild card which will give him a fantastic opportunity to play alongside some of the world's best players like Mark Phillippoussis, Srichaphan and defending champion Guillermo Canas of Argentina."

Hoping that it would boost the confidence of Prakash, he said: "It should be a treat for Indian fans to watch another Amritraj step on to the international tennis stage on home soil."

"This is an exciting time for me. I am looking forward to playing in this prestigious event," said Prakash, who was also given a wild card into the qualifying draw for the 2002 edition but failed to advance.

On Paes's wild card, Krishnan said the "Prince charming" of Indian tennis was given a wild card in all but two editions of the Chennai event. In 1998 and 1999, he had entered the singles main draw by virtue of his ranking.