Nadal pulls out but Davis Cup winner Ljubicic for Chennai ATP

The Chennai Open suffered a big blow today when it was announced that Rafael Benitez would not play. The world no 2 and reigning French Open...

The Chennai Open suffered a big blow today when it was announced that Rafael Benitez would not play. The world no 2 and reigning French Open champion pulled out due to a left foot injury sustained while winning the Madrid Masters final last October.

The injury had earlier forced the Spaniard out of the year-ending Masters Cup in Shanghai and he will be replaced by world no. 9 and Croatia’s no. 1 player Ivan Ljubicic, who has been given a wild card for the January 2-8 meet.

Interestingly, Ljubicic, who led his country to a first-ever Davis Cup title this year, has also been named the top seed — a first for the Chennai Open.

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‘‘It’s great to participate at the Chennai Open’’, the Croat said in a press release. ‘‘I’ve heard excellent things about the tournament, the city and its tennis fans from various players on the Tour.’’

Meanwhile, in a commendable gesture, Nadal pledged $25,000 towards the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund for the Tsunami victims. ‘‘I hope this contribution will help many families return to normalcy’’, he was quoted as saying.

Though less high-profile, Ljubicic is no ordinary replacement for the Spaniard. He’s enjoyed his best season in 2005 by winning two ATP titles in eight finals, finishing in the Top 10 for the first time.

The hard hitting baseliner with powerful ground strokes, compiled a record 7-1 in singles, and 4-0 in doubles in Davis Cup play, the best record since John McEnroe in 1982.

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