Defending singles champion Janko Tipsarevic withdraws from Chennai Open

Defending singles champion and world No.36 Janko Tipsarevic has withdrawn from the 2014 Chennai Open. The 29-year-old suffered a rupture on a heel tendon and has been forced to pull out from the tournament in which he participates on a regular basis.

Tipsarevic’s absence means that world No.8 Stanislas Wawrinka heads to Chennai as the favourite. Others competing for the crown in the 19th edition of the tournament include Mikhail Youzhny and Fabio Fognini. Qualifying matches for the Chennai Open will be on December 28 and 29, while the main draw will take place between December 30 and January 5, 2014.

Tipsarevic beat Spaniard Roberto Bautista-Agut 3-6, 6-1, 6-3 in last years final. Wawrinka and Frenchman Benoit Paire are the reigning doubles champions.