KOAY Hao Sheng will make his dream debut in the ATP Tour after the 16-year-old was granted a singles qualifying wildcard for the Malaysian Open, which starts this weekend, at Putra Stadium in Bukit Jalil.
Regarded as the most promising junior in the country, Hao Sheng, who has played in the Junior Davis Cup and other internationals, was picked by the Lawn Tennis Association of Malaysia (LTAM) to take up the fourth local wildcard.
Other Malaysian wildcard entries are player-cum-assistant coach Ashaari Zainal Abidin, Syed Agil Syed Naguib and Florida-based Assri Merzuki. Syed Aqil will also partner Australia’s Nick Kyrgios, whose mother is Malaysian, in the doubles main draw.
The wildcard entries for the main draw are Japan’s Taro Daniel, Serbia’s Filip Krajinovic and US Junior Open champion Omar Jasika of Australia.
Daniel was a quarter-finalist in Vina Del Mar while Krajinovic, who trains with World No 1 Novak Djokovic, has won two Challengers this year.
The 17-year-old Jasika is the first player since 1986 to win the singles and doubles titles at the US Junior Open the same year. Jasika is the fourth Australian in the main draw along with Kyrgios, Bernard Tomic and Marinko Matosevic,.
“I am honoured to play in Kuala Lumpur and I must thank the organisers for granting me a wildcard. I hope to make inroads in the sport,” said Jasika.
World No 6 Kei Nishikori is the tournament’s top draw with Canada’s Milos Raonic, Latvia’s Ernests Gulbis, Austria’s Jurgen Melzer, Germany’s Benjamin Becker, Frenchman Julien Benneteau and defending champion Joao Sousa of Portugal being the other confirmed players.
Kyrgios will play his opening match on Monday or Tuesday while Nishikori and Raonic, the top two seeds, are scheduled on Wednesday and Thursday.
Nishikori’s coach Michael Chang will be in KL to conduct a special coaching clinic for the Malaysian Davis Cup team.
“Michael’s coaching tips will be beneficial to the national coaches and also the Davis Cup players,” said tournament director Nick Freyer.
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 603-9222881. By Ajitpal Singh