Indian tennis star Leander Paes has confirmed his participation in both the singles and doubles events of the Chennai Open ATP championship to be held in Chennai from January 3 to 9.
Paes will team up with Serbia's Nenad Zimonjic and has accepted a wild card for the singles.
Ravi Krishnan, Managing Director (South Asia) of IMG, organisers of the event, said Paes, who is also India's Davis Cup captain, "has accepted a wild card offered to him."
Paes generally plays in a very few tournaments in singles and his best performance in this tournament is the 3-6, 4-6 quarterfinal loss to Cedric Pioline in 2000.
This will be the second time in the nine-year history of the event that Paes and Bhupathi would play against each other. Last year, Paes partnered David Rikl, while Bhupathi played alongside Max Mirnyi of Belarus. Paes and Bhupathi won the doubles title in this tournament in 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2002.
This year, Paes has decided to take a shot at the title with Zimonjic, 18th in the ATP doubles entry ranking (with Henman), while Bhupathi will partner Swede Bjorn Borjkman.
Paes said he was looking forward to playing in the event.
"I am pleased to be back in action at Chennai. I have some fond memories of growing up in Chennai and have always enjoyed playing here. The Chennai Open is a lead up to other international events in the calender year and I would like to start 2005 on a winning note."
