Chennai Open: Sahaja, Maaya get wild playing cards

Sahaja Yamalapalli and Maaya Rajeshwaran are the 2 Indians amongst 4 who have been awarded wild playing cards for the WTA 250 Chennai Open to be held on the SDAT-Nungambakkam Stadium from October 27 to November 2. Slovakia’s 16-year-old Mia Pohankova, the Wimbledon junior champion, and France’s Lois Boisson are the opposite two wild card entrants. This was introduced on Friday by Vijay Amritraj, Indian tennis legend and president of the Tamil Nadu Tennis Association (TNTA), at a press convention.

In all likelihood, World No. 38 Boisson, who reached the semifinals of this 12 months’s French Open, would be the prime seed.

“While allotting wild playing cards, crucial factor is the event of gamers of the host and two, is enhancing the stature of the event. The association with Octagon (sports activities company that holds the occasion’s licence) is that they might get two [wild cards] and we at TNTA get two,” Amritraj stated.

The wild playing cards for qualifying will probably be introduced sooner or later and the hallmark this 12 months would be the TNTA celebrating 100 years, added Amritraj.

All the courts on the stadium have been re-laid for the Chennai Open. Amritraj hoped that the Indian gamers would make a mark. The 71-year-old pinned his hopes on Maaya. “We have numerous hopes on Maaya. By 18, she ought to’ve a very good likelihood to have a crack at any of the junior Grand Slams. after which rapidly make the transition”

Atulya Misra IAS, Additional Chief Secretary and the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports Development, J. Meghanatha Reddy IAS, member secretary SDAT, B. Venkatasubramanyam, secretary, TNTA and Vivek Reddy, treasurer, TNTA additionally attended the press meet.