Doubles specialist Mahesh Bhupathi will pair with Jonas Bjorkman of Sweden to get the pride of place for the doubles event in the ATP Chennai Open, starting on January 3.

Commenting on his participation with the Swede, for whom it will be his first visit to Chennai and India, Bhupathi said, "Chennai has always been one of my favourite venues. Doing well in the doubles with Bjorkman would be a great way to start a new season and New Year."

Bhupathi and Leander Paes had won this tour event four times, the first in 1997, which helped them attain stardom in doubles play.

Bhupathi had a fair amount of success during the year on the world circuit and is now among the top ten for the fourth year in succession and sixth times in seven years. In all, Bhupathi has won 30 doubles tiles, including Grand Slam events at Roland Garros, Flushing Meadows and Wimbledon.

Bjorkman, partnering Australian Todd Woodbridge, won Tour titles at Bastad, Paris and Sydney, and Wimbledon this year.

During the year, he entered the final in Moscow, Dubai, Canada, Lyon, Cincinnati and Miami playing with Bhupathi, Paes and Max Mirnyi.

With a whopping 73 doubles titles between them, Bhupathi and Bjorkman will be strong contenders for the doubles title at Chennai Open.