Nadal lends fizz to Chennai Open

By Sanjay Rajan

Chennai, India - Three years after his first round exit in singles as a rookie at the Chennai Open, Spanish sensation Rafael Nadal returns to the southern Indian city to kick-start his 2007 campaign as the world number two.

The 20-year-old left-hander is the top seed in an exciting draw that features five of the top-50 in world tennis, including Argentine world number eight David Nalbandian, semi-finalist at last month's Masters Cup in Shanghai.

Twice French Open champion Nadal, who missed the first six weeks of 2006 with a foot injury, will meet 97th ranked German Rainer Schuettler in the first round later this week.

Nadal told a news conference on Sunday: "There are a lot of young, very good players around and competition has become tough and my main aim is to be among the top-eight and play in the Masters."

The Spaniard had an outstanding 2006 in which he registered a 59-12 record, with four victories in finals over world number one Roger Federer.

Federer, who finished 2006 with an astonishing 92-5 record with 12 titles including three majors, will open the new season at the Kooyong Classic in Australia on Jan. 8 before starting the defence of his Australian Open title the following week.

Nalbandian, who turns 25 on Monday, is seeded number two in Chennai and opens his campaign with a first round clash with 84th ranked Kristian Pless of Denmark later this week.

"My goal for the year is to win a grand slam," said the tenacious Argentine who was a semi-finalist at this year's Australian Open and French Open.

Also in the fray for the $416 000 event which starts on Monday is former French Open champion Carlos Moya of Spain, ranked 43rd in the world.