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Previously the tournament was called Gold Flake Open and TATA Open after the main sponsors. In 2004, when the three-year association with Tata ended, the possibility of Chennai losing out on hosting the tournament loomed large, as there wasn't a title sponsor. But with the Tamil Nadu government deciding to co-sponsor the event along with a consortium of corporate houses, the tournament stayed in Chennai.
The tournament, played at the hard-court SDAT-Nungambakkam Tennis Stadium, attracts top players of the ATP circuit. The 2006 edition was held from January 2-8 and saw the participation World No. 9 Ivan Ljubicic, former World No. 1 and defending champion Carlos Moya, Asia No 1 Paradorn Srichaphan. In the title clash Ljubicic defeated Moya 7-6, 6-2 to emerge the winner.
