ATP Challenger Tour Kolkata: Somdev, Yuki big Indian names

Kolkata: Indian top two singles players Somdev Devvarman and in-form Yuki Bhambri will be the star attractions in the USD 50,000 ATP Challenger Tour to be held at the BTA Courts from February 10-15.

103rd ranked Somdev has been given a wild card entry in the draw of 32 which will have 95th ranked Aleksandr Nedovyesov of Kazakhstan as the top draw.

The other top ranked players include Russia's Evgeny Donskoy (130), Japan's Go Soeda (138) and Ukraine's Illya Marchenko.

71 notches below Somdev, 174th ranked Yuki who today upset the Indian No 1 in semis of the ongoing Chennai ATP Challenger will start as the Indian favourite as the duo will look to renew their rivalry.

Besides Somdev, Saketh Myneni who played a stellar role in India's 5-0 rout of Chinese Taipei in the Asia/Oceania Group I Davis Cup tie in Indore has been given wild card entries in the main draw along with Sanam Singh and Vishnu Vardhan.

The main draw comprises of 22 direct acceptances, four wild cards, four qualifiers and two special exempts as the qualifying round will be held in the next two days.

This is for the first time, an ATP Challenger of the USD 50,000 prize money is taking place in the state.

The Kolkata leg is the second in the three back-to-back ATP Challenger tours that will conclude with USD 100,000 event in New Delhi.

The singles winner will earn 80 ATP points and take home USD 7,200, while the runner-up will get 48 points and a cash award of USD 4,240.