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Karnataka serves an ace with $ 150,000 Bengaluru Open 2018, Asia’s biggest ATP Challenger tournament

Bengaluru Open will have 32 players competing for top honours. The winner will be richer by $ 21,600. The organisers said that the list of players is yet to be confirmed. Last year, India’s Sumit Nagal won and it helped him jump 96 places and later reached a career high of 225 in ATP rankings

Bengaluru Open 2018 tennis ATP Challenger Asia biggest Karnataka KSLTA
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Bengaluru, First Published Oct 12, 2018, 12:48 PM IST

Bengaluru: The city is set to host Asia’s biggest ATP Challenger tournament next month as the Bengaluru Open 2018 will be played for a prize money of $ 150,000.

This year’s edition at the Karnataka State Lawn Tennis Association (KSLTA) courts, has seen an increase of $ 50,000 in total purse, from $ 100,000 in 2017.

The tournament will be hosted from November 12 to 17 and it is an opportunity for Indian players to earn vital ranking points.

India’s Davis Cup coach Zeeshan Ali termed the tournament as a “huge stepping stone” for local players.

“A tournament like this is a huge stepping stone for players to get into the world’s top 100. With the Davis Cup also coming up against Italy in February and rankings being one of the criteria for selection, this tournament will be important,” Ali said.

“The government of Karnataka is happy to provide support to the Bengaluru Open which is now the biggest event on the ATP circuit in the Asian region,” Priyank Kharge, minister for social welfare and chairman of the tournament’s organising committee, said at the launch event on Thursday (October 11) night.

“Through our support, we intend to not only promote tennis but help in growing the sport and ensure all deserving players get a chance to compete. We hope more and more youngsters take to the spot and bring our city, great pride with victories,” he added.

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The  KSLTA will also be organising a national level ranking tournament from October 22 to 27. The winner of men’s singles gets a direct entry as wildcard, to the main draw of Bengaluru Open.

Bengaluru Open will have 32 players competing for top honours. The winner will be richer by $ 21,600. The organisers said that the list of players is yet to be confirmed. Last year, India’s Sumit Nagal won and it helped him jump 96 places and later reached a career high of 225 in ATP rankings.

In the 32-player draw, 22 will have direct entry, four wildcard entrants, four qualifiers and two from special exempted category.

Deputy chief minister G Parameshwara, who could not attend the launch event due to some official work in Tumakuru, in a message, said, “Brand Bengaluru is associated with technology, with culture, with gardens and greenery. But Bengaluru city is also known for its sporting prowess and spirit. Bengaluru Open is all about that.”

“I am sure the event will not only attract top players but also be a great learning experience for the young tennis players in the city. This will be a fantastic opportunity for the youth to see their favourite sport stars in person and experience international tennis right from the centre court,” he added.

Former deputy chief minister R Ashoka, who is a senior vice-president of KSLTA, said, “We are happy to host the ATP Challenger in Bengaluru. On behalf of KSLTA, we profusely thank the government of Karnataka, especially the Hon. Deputy CM Dr G Parameshwara for the support to the event.”

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