Paes, Bhupathi confirm their participation for Chennai Open

Chennai, Nov 3(IANS) Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi will play with their respective partners at the $450,000 Chennai Open 2009.

The 14th edition of Chennai Open, India's only ATP tennis tournament, will be held from Jan 5-11, at the SDAT Stadium here.

While Bhupathi will team up with his long time Bahamas partner Mark Knowles, Paes will combine with Lukas Dlouhy of Czech Republic in the men's doubles.

The season has gone reasonably well for World no. 3 Bhupathi and Mark Knowles, who recently won the Swiss Indoor Championships, and will play in the year-ending Shanghai Masters.

Paes has missed Chennai Open only thrice so far in the last 14 years (2004, 2007). Bhupathi, on the other hand will be returning to the tournament after a three year gap, having missed it due to injury and prior commitments in previous years.

Confirming his participation, Peas said: 'It's always great be a part of the Chennai Open. I am glad to return to the city where I have grown up and to play in front of a crowd that's always been of great support to me. Lukas and I have had a phenomenal year and we hope to have a great start to the New Year. A fifth Chennai Open title would be a dream start for 2009.'

On the other hand, the world no. six Paes and Dlouhy, who first played at Roland Garros this year had a successful run. They won the first ATP title together at the Thailand Open 2008 at Bangkok.

Bhupathi said: 'I am excited to be back playing at home after a few years. Mark and myself have had a great year and we look forward to kick- starting 2009 with a Big week at the Chennai Open.'