Ratiwatanas ride wild card into main draw of the ATP Thailand Open

The twin brothers, who lifted their maiden ATP title here in 2007, will join countryman Danai Udomchoke who teams up with his Taiwanese buddy Lu Yen-hsun as defending champions in the doubles competition this year. On Monday, organisers had distributed main draw singles wildcards to Thai top junior Wishaya Trongcharoenchaikul, Laslo Djere of Serbia, and Sun-young Jeong of the Republic of Korea.

Bhuphati is a four-time Grand Slam doubles champion and is currently ranked No 10 in the world while Lindstedt sits at No 18 in the ATP doubles rankings.

Two-time former Thailand Open Doubles champion Leander Paes of India will pair with Italian Daniele Bracciali at this year’s tournament. The popular Paes is the No 6-ranked doubles player in the world and has won an amazing 53 doubles titles, including eight Grand Slam titles plus an additional six Grand Slam mixed doubles titles. He previously won the Thailand Open title in 2005 and 2008 and if successful this year, would be the first player to win three Thailand Open titles.

Joining his brother Andy at the Thailand Open will be 2007 Wimbledon mixed doubles champion Jamie Murray, partnering Australian John Peers. The pairing are currently ranked No 16 on the ATP’s doubles team ranking race to London and will be desperate to add points in their attempt to qualify for the World Tour Finals.

Receiving a wildcard into the draw are defending champions: home favourite Danai Udomchoke and his Taiwanese partner Yen-Hsun Lu, as well as No 1 Thai doubles team of Sonchat and Sanchai Ratiwatana. 

In total, 16 teams will compete in the doubles competition at the Thailand Open. The tournament begins with the qualifying rounds on September 21. Main draw action starts on September 23 and the finals will be played on Sunday September 29. Tickets are available at all ThaiTicketMajor outlets, at www.thaiticketmajor.com or by calling (02) 262 3838.