Tata Open Maharashtra: Bopanna, Ramkumar secure direct entry into doubles main draw

Pune (Maharashtra) [India], January 18 : India's Rohan Bopanna and Ramkumar Ramanathan have received a direct entry into the doubles main draw at the fourth edition of Tata Open Maharashtra, organized by the Maharashtra State Lawn Tennis Association (MSLTA) and scheduled at the Balewadi Stadium in Pune from January 31 to February 6.
The Indian pair, who won the Adelaide International ATP-250 event earlier this month by stunning the top seeds, have earned a spot in the main draw with a combined ranking of 156. The direct acceptance list consists of 14 pairs with a cut of being 250.
In 2019, the Asian Games champion star doubles player Bopanna lifted the title of this tournament with Divij Sharan while Ramkumar had a semi-final finish in the last edition with Purav Raja. Now Playing together, Bopanna and Ramkumar will look to carry forward their brilliant start to the year when they return to Pune.
The 2020 Australian Open finalists Max Purcell and Luke Saville have also been included in the doubles' main draw. The 23-year-old Australian Purcell has paired up with compatriot Matthew Ebden, who will be returning to Pune after being featured in the last edition with the Indian great Leander Paes. Saville will play alongside John-Patrick Smith.
"It's always a great feeling to see Indians getting a direct entry at the Tata Open Maharashtra as our aim is to give Indian players that much-needed platform. This tournament has always witnessed Indians performing well in doubles and I hope it continues this year too. But not to forget, they will be up against a strong challenge for the title as we have got a strong field this year too," said Tournament Director Prashant Sutar.
Among the players, who have secured direct entries in both singles as well as doubles main draws are: teenage sensation Lorenzo Musetti, 2018 US Open semi-finallist Radu Albot, Ricardas Berankis, and Stefano Travaglia.
South Asia's only ATP Tour tournament is returning after a two-year break, due to the Covid-19 pandemic. However, considering the current situation and Omicron scare, the tournament will be held in a bubble without spectators.
"We wanted fans to support their favourite stars from the stands but unfortunately the current scenario doesn't allow it. The safety of players, as well as other stakeholders involved, is of prime importance to us and we have to follow strict bubble protocols. We will also be conducting covid tests as per the rules," said Pravin Darade, Organising Secretary of Tata Open Maharashtra.
The former World No. 49 Illya Marchenko will be among the 11 direct acceptance entries into the singles qualifiers as they will fight for four main draw spots. The Ukrainian star Marchenko had beaten two-time Olympics champion and the former World No. 1 Andy Murray last year to clinch the ATP Challenger Tour title in Biella, Italy.
With cut-off at 173, Aleksander Vukic, who registered his career's first Grand Slam main draw win at the Australian Open on Monday, and Christopher O'Connell are among the other players to feature in the singles qualifying rounds, which will be played on January 30 and 31.