Five countries in Southeast Asia will send players to Viet Nam’s Open Men’s Singles Tennis Championships, from March 31 to April 4 . . .

Indonesia will send Christoper Rungat, 20, and Nesa Artha, 28, who paired up to win a double bronze medal at the 25th SEA Games in Laos last December.

Malaysia will send third-ranked Ariez Elyaas Deen Hishaam and fourth-ranked Mohd Assri Merzuki. Both are included in Malaysia’s Davis Cup squad. Nguyen Van Ngoan, vice head of the organising committee, said Indonesian players were strong and would pose a big challenge to local players.

Ngoan also appreciated the Malaysian players’ skills.

Thailand’s second-ranked Pongsiri Niroj, who exited the quarter finals last year, will come back to the tournament, along with countryman Grittaboon Prahmanee.

Laos and Cambodia will send players who represented their country at the 25th SEA Games.

The singles event winner will receive a cash prize of US$2,500, the runners-up $1,700 and third place $900, while prizes for the doubles events will be $1,500, $900 and $400.

Parallel to the tournament, there will also be a tennis competition for amateur players, which has attracted 110 entries.

Nguyen Minh Tam, head of the organising committee and president of the HCM City Tennis Association, said that next year the tournament might be upgraded to the Southeast Asia Tennis Championships, to feature players from all countries in the region.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News