Somdev Devvarman faces Yen-Hsun Lu in Chennai Open first round

CHENNAI: India's struggling singles star Somdev Devvarman was today handed a tough opener in the ATP Chennai Open as he is pitted against sixth seed and world number 38 Yen-Hsun Lu.

Somdev, a wild card entrant, endured a very tough 2014 season during which his ranking plummeted to 138 in the wake of consistent poor results.

It will be third meeting between Somdev and the Chinese Taipei player with Indian enjoying an all-win record. However, Somdev knows that job wont be easy this time around.

"It is a tough match and is a tough draw and Yen had come off a fantastic season breaking in to top 40. I had practiced with him in Doha and he is a strong opponent," Somdev said.

Another Indian wild card in main draw, Ramkumar Ramanathan, ranked 215, would face Japanese Tatsuma Ito (ranked 94) in his first round.

Meanwhile, top seed and defending Champion, World No. four Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland has given a bye in the first round, along with the second, third and fourth seeds Feliciano Lopez (Spain, ranked 14), Roberto Bautista Agut (Spain, ranked 15) and David Goffin (Belgium, ranked 22) respectively.

Goffin, who is likely to face Lithuania's Ricardas Berankis, in the second round as Berankis, ranked 86, is expected to win his first round against a qualifier.

Gofin, ranked 22, said at the draw ceremony "It is not an easy match to start the tournament this year."

Touching upon his earlier visit to the city, he said, he had spent some good moments in Chennai.

"I had some fond memories by playing some good match against Stan Wawrinka last time here. I hope to do better this year having broken into the top 25," he added.