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GETTING READY: Top-seeded Robin Soderling, fresh from his maiden win over world No.1 Roger Federer last week, will be hoping to serve up a delectable fare for fans at the Aircel Chennai Open that gets underway on Monday.

CHENNAI: Beginning Monday, Robin Soderling will have his hands full with at least two other participants posing a genuine threat to his reputation as the only top-10 player competing at the Chennai Open.

Defending champion Marin Cilic has proven his comfort playing in Chennai and Swiss third seed Stanislas Wawrinka floats dangerously in the Swede’s half of the draw.

A few years ago, a win over Roger Federer, such as the one Soderling registered in Abu Dhabi this past week, would have signified the pinnacle of achievement in men’s tennis. That done, a player would have shaken clammy hands with the great man, had his picture clicked alongside, and encased it in an ivory frame for a proud inspection by friends and family.

Aside from the annus mirabilis that 2009 was for Soderling, his defeat of Federer alone propels him to the status of an outright favourite in Chennai, where he finds himself the top seed.

Though his first round opponent American Robby Ginepri may test him, the Swede is fresh off a win against Wawrinka (at Abu Dhabi in the quarters), who would be keen on turning things around after a mediocre end to 2009.

Israeli Dudi Sela too suffered a late-season slump which would make things easier for the eighth ranked Soderling should the two progress to the quarterfinals.

Second seed Marin Cilic may look like a deer caught in the headlights of an approaching car during interactions with the media, but is a man transformed once he gets on court.

On an upswing

On an upswing after having ended the year with wins against Andy Murray (U.S. Open), Rafael Nadal and Nikolay Davydenko (both China Open), Cilic spoke with the confidence of a man who has his career wagon firmly under control.

“There is no pressure on me just because I am defending my title here. I am going through my practice routine just the way I do at any other tournament,” he said.

The 21-year-old however acknowledged that occasional phases of lackadaisical play were something he needed to weed out from his game. “Sometimes my level dips and that has to be taken care of,” he added.

Defending 250 points here, Cilic will have to contend with Janko Tipsarevic in his side of the draw, but only if the Serb has managed to dispatch Carlos Moya in the first round.

The Croat may even bump into Somdev Devvarman in the semifinals, but that too will depend on how far the Indian extends his stay in the tournament.

Last year’s finalist Somdev, who opens against German Rainer Schuttler, said on Sunday that he was prepared for a tough first encounter.

Tough opener

“I think its going to be a tough match (against Schuttler) and I will have to play really well to be in with a chance.”

The home favourite also said playing during the afternoon and night was like “playing at two different venues” and that he still hadn’t pored over the draw to determine his future opponents.

The other Indian wild card, Rohan Bopanna, was grateful at having received, for a change, a direct entry into the main draw. His desire of “starting the new year on the right note”, however, would be severely tested in his opening match against Wawrinka.

Bopanna will also partner Mahesh Bhupathi in doubles, while Yuki Bhambri has paired up with Moya.

The American pair of Eric Butorac and Rajeev Ram, the defending champion, will start favourites in the doubles competition.

IMPORTANT MATCHES

Centre Court: Marin Cilic (Cro) vs. Igor Kunitsyn (Rus), Carlos Moya (Esp) vs. Janko Tipsarevic (Srb), Rik de Voest (RSA) and Scott Lipsky (USA) vs. Somdev Devvarman (Ind) and Sanam Singh (Ind), Rajeev Ram (U.S.) vs. Thiemo de Bakker (Ned).

Court 1: Simon Greul (Ger) vs. Jan Hajek (Cze), Michael Kohlmann (Ger) and Rainer Schuttler (Ger) vs. Marcel Granollers (Esp) and Santiago Ventura (Esp).

Court 2: Santiago Giraldo (Col) vs Bjorn Phau (Ger).

Play begins 5 p.m. on each court