Top seed Robin Soderling has a tricky first match as the opening round at the 2010 Aircel Chennai Open, has some interesting matches lined up when the tournament begins on Monday.
The Swede, who after 12 straight defeats, finally managed to get the better of world no.1 Roger Federer on Saturday - albeit at an exhibition event in Abu Dhabi, will take on American Robby Ginepri in what promises to be an intriguing opener.
Soderling has won the only encounter between the two thus far -- a tough three-set win on the Hamburg clay in 2007.
But the 27-year-old American, a three-time winner on the ATP Tour, was in the top-20 not many years back and with a few major upsets up his sleeve already, definitely has the tricks to trouble the best in business.
Meanwhile, the Indian players would have to dig deep if they have to progress further as the draw has been anything but kind to them.
Somdev Devvarman, who surprised many with his amazing run to the final last year and has been handed a wild card this time, opens his campaign against veteran Rainer Schuetler.
The 33-year-old German, a four-time winner on the ATP Tour, has been a finalist at the Australian Open (2003) and also made it to the decider in Chennai back in 1999 -- losing to Zimbabwe's Byron Black.
It is imperative to state that Somdev was scheduled to face Olympic silver medalist in the semi-finals here last year but the German's withdrawal handed him a comfortable passage to the final.
Rohan Bopanna, the other Indian wild card, might as well have to witness his dreams of progressing further turn into a nightmare when he takes on third seed Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland.
The 24-year-old Swiss was a top-10 player not so long ago and had an inspiring win over his illustrious compatriot Federer last year (in Monte Carlo).
In yet another interesting match up two-time winner Carlos Moya faces a tough opponent in fourth seed Janko Tipsarevic.
The 25-year-old Serbian ended the year on a high, reaching the final at Moscow -- his first ATP final -- and following it up with a semi-final showing at Vienna.
However, more than his singles matches, the Chennai crowds will be keen to watch the veteran Spaniard in doubles action more this time, as he teams up with the young Indian prospect Yuki Bhambri.
Meanwhile, defending champion Marin Cilic faces Russian Igor Kunitsyn first up even as the bottom half of the draw has ensured an encore, of his triumph last year, is a definitely possibility, if not a certainty.
