No Bhupathi-Paes for Tata Open
Statesman (Delhi) — November 22, 2002

Ace Indian doubles player Mahesh Bhupathi will have a new partner when he sets out to defend the title that he won with Leander Paes at the Tata Open 2003 to be held here from 30 December to 5 January. Ruling out pairing with estranged partner Paes, Bhupathi said: “I have not yet decided on my partner. I have a couple of options and will finalise within a week or so.” Bhupathi, who has already announced Joshua eagle as his partner for the whole of next year, also said Max Mirnyi, with whom he won this year’s US Open doubles title, would not be available for the Tata Open.

“Max has said he wants to concentrate on singles,” Bhupathi, said replying to questions at a Press conference, which was held to announce the Tata Open 2003 here today.

His announcement pours cold water on slim hopes that the most successful pair in India might come together at Chennai, from where they began their winning streak in 1997.

Besides defending champion Guilermo Canas and runner-up Paradorn Srichaphan, the main draw will also features the likes of Mark Philippoussis (Australia) Karol Kucera (Slovakia) and Sjeng Schalken (Netherlands), the direct entry cut-off being world rank 113 as against the 117 last year. Philippoussis makes his maiden entry in the ATP event here.

Paes and Prakash Amritraj have already been given wild cards in the singles.

With the confirmation of Canas, Srichaphan, Kucera and Andrei Pavel (Romania), the entire semi-final line up of the last edition returns to the tournament this year too.

Another big name is 2000 winner Jerome Golmard of France. Jiri Vanek of Czech republic, though ranked 201, has been included in the main draw under the ‘entry protected’ clause, which allows an injured player who had not participated in any tennis event for a minimum period of six months.

The new tournament director, Mr. Fernando Soler, from IMG Barcelona, who has 15 years of ATP experience, pointed out that the No.1 Asian Srichaphan, had a breakthrough year, winning two titles and powering his way to No. 16 in the world.

Qualifying events would be held on 28 and 29 December. The winner gets 35 ATP Championship race points, runner-up 24, semi-finalists 15, quarter-finalists eight and round of 16 three and main draw one point each.