Tough draw for India in singles

Chennai, Dec 30 (UNI) The weak Indian challenge in the singles draw of the ATP Tour Chennai Open 2007 has been pitted against formidable opponents when the men's singles main draw matches begin here on the New Year Day.

While Prakash Amritraj, who would be carrying the Indian challenge, was drawn to play against 97th ranked Croatian Ivo Karlovic, another wild card entrant Karan Rastogi will meet young Brazilian Thiago Alves, ranked 106. Prakash is ranked 393 and Karan at 497.

''It will be a contest between David and Goliath. I hope David will win'', former Indian Davis Cupper Vijay Amritraj, who anchored the draw ceremony, said about his son Prakash's match.

''It would be a tough match'', Vijay said recalling Karlovic's epic win against defending champion Lleyton Hewitt in the first round of the Wimbledon in 2003. For the first time in the Modern Grand Slam history a defending champion was ousted in the very first Round that year.

On Karan Rastogi's match against the Brazillian, Vijay said the Indian had a remarkable week in the ITF futures at Delhi, where he won the title today defeating Hyun Woo Nam of Korea.

''He (Karan) had a remarkable week. When he comes here he will be in full form and hopefully do well against Thiago'', who Vijay described as a ''very fine youngster'', said .

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