A LOOK BACK Chennai Open (Chennai, India): After 22 years on the ATP World Tour, the Indian city of Chennai began a new chapter of professional tennis on the ATP Challenger Tour. Top seed Jordan Thompson claimed the title at the inaugural Chennai Open, defeating home hope and second seed Yuki Bhambri in a thrilling championship clash. The Aussie prevailed 7-5, 3-6, 7-5 in two hours and 37 minutes. He converted eight of 13 break chances to take his fifth Challenger crown. Thompson returns to the Top 100 of the ATP Rankings at No. 95, while Bhambri continues his quest to return to the Top 100 in his return from injury. His runner-up finish in Chennai saw him climb to...
India’s most celebrated tennis event, the Aircel Chennai Open, is all set to move to a new home. IMG-Reliance, the right holders of the tournament along with Government of Maharashtra and Maharashtra State Lawn Tennis Association (MSLTA), made the announcement on Wednesday, revealing Pune to be the new city to host the 2018 edition of the ATP World Tour 250 event. It will now be called the Maharashtra Open. “We welcome the world-class ATP tournament to our state,” Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said. “We are happy to host the Maharashtra Open and are sure that we will take it to newer heights by bringing in an elite field every year.” The Chennai Open became an important fixture on India’s...
The ATP announced on Friday the continued aggregation and centralisation of broadcast rights on the ATP World Tour, with 12 tournaments across the ATP World Tour 250 category being pooled and sold together in partnership with ATP Media, the broadcast arm of the ATP World Tour. Following the success of the centralisation of rights across the Nitto ATP Finals, the nine ATP World Tour Masters 1000s, and the 13 ATP World Tour 500 tournaments, which has seen viewership more than double over the past 10 years, the ATP is pursuing a similar strategy with continued aggregation and centralisation at the 250-level. “Media rights is one of the biggest growth areas in our sport, and we’ve seen tremendous results both commercially...
Rohan Bopanna and Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan topped Indian countrymen Purav Raja and Divij Sharan 6-3, 6-4 to win the Aircel Chennai Open doubles title on Sunday. It was the first all-Indian final at the ATP World Tour 250 tournament in 22 years. “I loved the moment, it was great,” said Nedunchezhiyan. “In my backyard… being in the final, not being seeded, it’s already a great start to the season.” Bopanna/Nedunchezhiyan saved four of the six break points they faced and won 86 per cent of their first serve points to claim victory and the title in 65 minutes. This was just their second event as a team after a quarter-final showing in Chengdu last fall (l. to Shamasdin/Siljestrom). They are the...
