World number 16 Marcos Baghdatis of Cyprus will be seen in action at the 2008 Chennai Open. His confirmation adds glamour to the impressive list for the ATP tournament, which will be held at the SDAT stadium, Nungambakkan, from December 31 to January 6 2008.
Rafael Nadal and Carlos Moya of Spain, and Russia's Mikhail Youzhny have already confirmed participation for the tennis calendar's opening-week tournament.
Baghdatis will return to the Indian city after three years. He was ousted 4-6, 7-6(10), 6-7(5) by France's Nicolas Devilder in the first round at the 2005 Chennai Open.
Baghdatis, who made a splash in world tennis by powering into the 2006 Australian Open final, has a rare distinction to his credit. Of the 133 players who have been ranked in the Top 10 since 1973, he is one of only three to break into the Top 10 before winning his first career ATP title (along with Cedric Pioline and Mikael Pernfors).
Tournament director Fernando Soler said, "Marcos Baghdatis is a special player. He is a wonderfully ebullient character who radiates immense enjoyment whenever and wherever he plays, and has acquired a loyal throng of fans who roar his every winning point.
"I am confident that Chennai will be able to enjoy his style of tennis and we can expect some riveting performances from him."
In 2007, the Cypriot finished in the Top-20 for second straight year, highlighted by his second career ATP title in Zagreb, Croatia, and reached the final at Marseille and Halle. He won a career-high 48 matches and advanced to his first ATP Masters Series semi-final in Paris.
