Chants of “Let's go Vasselin, let's go” and “Waawrinkaa…Waawrinkaa” reverberated in turns across the SDAT Tennis Stadium on a cold, Wednesday evening.
The turnout was markedly better compared to the sparse crowd on the first two days of the Aircel Chennai Open. The decibel levels went up by many notches later in the night when the Indian stars — Leander Paes, Mahesh Bhupathi and Rohan Bopanna — would be in action.
Rallying point
But the audience wasn't constricted by notions of nationalism as Stanislas Wawrinka and Edouard Roger-Vasselin soon found out.
It wasn't so much a surprise when Wawrinka, the defending champion and a crowd favourite, received raucous cheers. But the manner in which a section of the spectators found a rallying point in his French opponent, ranked 106th in the world, was intriguing.
“There was obviously more support for Stan as he has been champion here. But there were a few people clapping and shouting for me. I was looking at them occasionally during the match,” said Vasselin.
Liking for the venue
Swiss No. 2 Wawrinka, meanwhile, made no secret of his liking for the venue. “I am really happy playing here. That's why I come back every year. It's always a pleasure to begin the season in front of such a wonderful crowd.”
These two players weren't the only ones buoyed by such support. David Goffin, the 21-year-old Belgian, won several hearts enroute his stirring victory over compatriot and former champion Xavier Malisse on Tuesday.
“I was surprised at how the crowd supported me. They were all like, ‘Goffin, Goffin'. I really liked it and hope to have more of it,” said an excited Goffin, who is ranked 176.
