NATIONAL No 1 Mohd Ashaari Zainal Abidin (pic), with Florida-based Assri Merzuki and Syed Agil Syed Naguib, are the country’s wild cards for the singles qualifying round in the ATP Malaysian Open at Putra Stadium on Sept 20-28.
Apart from playing in the singles, Syed Agil has been given the nod to partner Nick Kyrgios, whose mother (Norlaila) is a Malaysian, in the doubles main draw.
Ashaari, who is a player-cum-national assistant coach, created history last year by becoming the first Malaysian to beat a foreign player in the tournament.
The Davis Cup player hopes to make a bigger impression in the tournament following his win in last month’s leg four of the National Circuit.
Sarawak-born Assri is one of the most talented players in Malaysia and currently plies ying his trade in lower-tier tour tournaments outside Asia.
The 19-year-old earned his first ATP point last February and has played in seven Futures since last year’s Malaysian Open. His ranking has improved from 1,346 to 558.
Mohd Agil was picked to partner Kyrgios following his impressive performance with India’s Yuki Bhambri last year.
“Syed Agil won the second leg of the National Circuit in February and picked up his first ATP point in March, so it has been a good year for him. Watching him partner the in-form Kyrgios will be a treat for local fans,” said national coach Deen Heshaam Abdullah.
The other confirmed entries for the Malaysian Open are Canada's World No 7 Milos Raonic, Argentina's Juan Martin Del Potro, Japan's Kei Nishikori, Latvia's Ernests Gulbis, Germany’s Benjamin Becker, Austria’s Jurgen Melzer and defending champion Joao Sousa of Portugal.
The main draw of 28 players will comprise 19 direct entries, two special exempts, three wild cards and four qualifiers.
Ticket prices range from RM10 to RM160. There will be free admission between Sept 20 and Sept 23. Tickets can be purchased via www.malaysianopentennis.com/2014/tickets.php, or at TicketCharge outlets or at ticket hotline at 603-92228 81. By Ajitpal Singh