Pune, Feb 3 (IANS): Defending doubles champion Divij Sharan will return to the 3rd annual Tata Open Maharashtra, South Asia's only ATP tour event, with partner Artem Sitak. Rohan Bopanna will be teaming up with local boy Arjun Kadhe for this event.

Sharan won his fifth career ATP title in 2019, claiming the doubles crown at the St. Petersburg Open in September with Slovakian partner Igor Zelenay. Sitak also has multiple doubles titles to his credit.

"Tata Open has always been very close to my heart. It's the only ATP tour event in India and it's always special playing in front of a home crowd. I have great memories of the win with Rohan last year. Artem and I have been training and playing together since October and we look forward to putting up a good show this week," Sharan said.

Sharan and Sitak will be presented with a tough opening test against Indian tennis legend Leander Paes and his partner Mathew Ebden. Having been handed a wild card entry, the Maharashtra Open is likely to be Paes' final home appearance.