Sumit, Arjun get wildcards for ATP Challenger event in Pune

Indian Davis Cupper Sumit Nagal, the lone Indian performer in the Current Challenger Series event, and local star Arjun Kadhe have been awarded wildcards for the main draw of the PMR Open ATP Challenger 100 Men’s International Tennis Championship. The premier high-level ATP Challenger, which is sponsored by Pune Metropolitan Regional Development Authority (PMRDA) under a five-year agreement, will be played from Sunday (Feb 26) to Sunday (March 5), and has attracted players from 25 countries. The Pune event, organised by Maharashtra State Lawn tennis Association (MSLTA) at the Balewadi Tennis Stadium, is the third of a series of ATP Challenger 100 events held in India. The previous tournaments were held in Chennai and Bengaluru. Rahul Mahiwal (IAS) PMRDA Commissioner said that the PMR Challenger is another feather in the cap of the Pune tennis season, “We at PMRDA are thrilled to support such a huge international event which goes a long way in promoting the image of the Pune Metropolis Region universally”. “Providing international competition to Indian players and also promotion of Sports has been one of the main reasons for PMRDA getting involved and supporting this event,” he was quoted as saying in a release. The prize money for the event will be USD 130000 (Rs 1.06 crore). The winner will receive 100 ATP ranking points and USD 17650 (Rs.14.47 lakh) and the runner-up 60 ATP points and USD 10380 (Rs.8.5 lakh) the first-round loser receives USD1270 (Rs.1.04 lakh). The qualifiers will receive an incentive of USD 380 (Rs.31,000).