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Carlos Moya confirms for Chennai Open tennis
By Indo Asian News Service,
Nov 21, 2006 - 12:26:21 AM
Chennai, Nov 20 (IANS) Spaniard Carlos Moya has confirmed his participation in the $40,000 Chennai Open tennis tournament in January, it was announced by the organisers here Monday.
'This is my fifth visit here (to India) and, having won the title twice before, I am confident that I will be able to raise my game to the highest level and get a great start once again,' Moya has said according to a press release issued by the organisers. Moya is currently ranked 43rd in the world.
Moya's confirmation comes 13 days after his compatriot and world No. 2 Rafael Nadal confirmed his entry in the tournament that will be played at the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT) Stadium in Nungambakkam Jan 1-7.
World No. 8 David Nalbandian of Argentina had earlier confirmed his participation, making it a high profile tournament.
Nadal participated in the Indian Open only once in 2004, as a rookie, and suffered a first-round defeat to Frenchman Thierry Ascione. But the Spaniard and his compatriot Tommy Robredo won the doubles title.
Croatian Ivan Ljubucic who beat him in the title clash deprived Moya of a hat trick of Chennai Open titles in January this year.
'In Spain, football is the most popular sport so I do not get as much warmth there as I get here,' he said.
'I have had some memorable performances in Chennai and I hope to continue the same and hopefully win my third title.'
Moya is very popular in Chennai and his wonderful gesture of donating his prize money last year towards tsunami relief efforts touched the hearts of the people.
'Moya is a true champion. Players of his calibre always bring a lot of excitement and I am sure Chennai will once again witness some scintillating tennis from him,' said tournament director Fernando Soler.
The Chennai Open, owned and organised by International Management Group, is South Asia's premiere Association Tennis Professional International Series event.
'It's very rare to see a Grand Slam champion like Carlos Moya keep coming back to Chennai and we are indeed very honoured to keep hosting him,' said Balu Nayar, IMG managing director-India.
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