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Journalism of Courage
DEC 30: Davis Cupper Syed Fazaluddin on Saturday earned the last of the three wild cards to be the third Indian in the singles main draw of the ATP Gold Flake Open tennis commencing here on Monday.
The West Bengal boy, who finished runner-up in the All-India invitation tennis tournament here Friday, joins Leander Paes (direct entry) and Mahesh Bhupathi, the other Indian wild card entrant in the main draw.
Besides, five other Indians are competing in the qualifiers, underway on Saturday.
“We have awarded the last wildcard to Fazal, who came highly recommended by the AITA,” a release from Media Manager Zubin Sarkari said here.
The second wild card was bagged by American sensation Taylor Dent.
Meanwhile, the organisers today announced more withdrawals due to injury to the players. The latest to pull out are Mariano Puerta (Argentina), Jan Siemerink (Netherland) , Jens Knippschild (Germany) and Stephane Huet (France).
Second seeded Jual Carlos Ferroro had earlier pulled out citing `fatigue’.
These players would be replaced in the main draw with top four alternatives, the release said.
