Pune, Dec 27 (IANS): The organisers of the Tata Open Maharashtra badminton tournament announced on Thursday that local lad Arjun Kadhe has been handed a wild card entry into the men's singles draw.

The 24-year-old will join Prajnesh Gunneswaran and Ramkumar Ramanathan as the third wild card entrant in the season opener ATP World Tour event.

Just a month ago, Kadhe beat Ramkumar Ramanathan in the first round of the KPIT-MSLTA Challenger. It was the local lad's best win in terms of beating a higher-ranked player.

"Kadhe has shown a lot of promise and Pune being his home should certainly be an additional motivation to do well here. We wish all our wild card entrants the best of luck," tournament director Prashant Sutar said.

The tournament will be played at the Mhalunge Balewadi Stadium here from December 31 to January 5.

Defending champion and World No.30 Gilles Simon of France. World No.6 Kevin Anderson of South Africa, World No.25 Hyeon Chung of South Korea and World No.45 Malek Jaziri of Tunisia will take part in the season opening event.