Wednesday, Jan 07, 2004
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Tennis
By K. Keerthivasan
Carlos Moya launches into a forehand return. — Photo: R. Ragu
The Spaniard was last here in 1999 as the No. 1 player. He, however, failed to live up to the expectations as he conceded his match to Rainer Schuettler of Germany in the quarterfinals due to a finger injury. The year 2003 has been a much better one for the former French Open champion. He won three ATP titles and reached the finals in two other tournaments to finish the year in the top-10 for the fourth year running. Not to forget his showing in the Davis Cup final against Australia. Against Okun today, Moya was on song. Serving well, mostly clocking 180-190 kms per hour, Moya had the Israeli in a spot of bother. Breaking Okun in the first game of the first set, Moya ran up a 5-0 lead before Okun broke Moya's serve in the seventh game to reduce the lead to 5-2. But the Spaniard, with his first service working well, easily pocketed the first set in the ninth game. Okun does possess a sound forehand and he used it to good effect in the later stages of the second set. Down 2-4, Okun reduced the deficit to 4-5, but not before the top-seed held his serve comfortably in the 10th game to close out the match that lasted just under one hour. "I have been working hard for the last one month especially on my serve,'' said Moya, who will take on Paul Goldstein of USA next. Early matches, more often than not, turn out to be wake-up call for some late starters. The third seed Sjeng Schalken of The Netherlands, playing his first round, had some jittery moments against the Thai qualifier Danai Udomchoke, before going on to win 6-4, 7-5. With a corrected service action, bending his knees to get the required power, Schalken appeared a much better player. With a more effective baseline game, the Dutch overpowered the frail-looking Udomchoke in the first set. But the Thai, who is the highest ranked player in Thailand after Srichaphan, showed his prowess. Going for the lines and approaching the net often to take the ball half-way, Udomchoke was proving to be more than a handful for Schalken. Udomchoke raced to a 3-1 and later 4-2, before Schalken put his house in order. Schalken will meet Knowle in the second round. "It was a tough match physically. He had his rhythm coming into the match with three qualifying rounds. He played very solid. It was a good test for me. Overall, I was more consistent than him. And also I found the outside courts faster than the Centre court,'' said Schalken. Paradorn Srichaphan is in a league of his own. The top Asian player, seeded second here, did not disappoint his numerous spectators who had thronged to see him. Srichaphan overwhelmed Albert Montanes of Spain 6-1, 6-3 in just 45 minutes. The famous Namaste gesture was all there and the crowd enjoyed every bit of it. Srichaphan will face Harel Levy of Israel in the next round. Montanes, ranked 81 in the ATP list, succumbed to Srichaphan's sustained aggression from the back of the court. The on-the-run forehand winners, backhand down-the-line winners and strong serves, averaging 170 kms per hour, were too good for the Spaniard. Srichaphan was pouncing on anything short. Running away to a 5-1 lead with breaks in the third and fifth games, Srichaphan was in a zone, not putting a foot wrong. The story was same in the second set with Srichaphan leading all the way. Quickly overcoming a loss in his concentration while serving for the match at 5-3, Srichaphan served out the match without further panic. "It's my first match in two months. I am happy that I am hitting the ball well and accurately. Am looking forward to defend the title, it means a lot to me,'' said Srichaphan. Not even a wee bit unnerved, wild card entrant and 17-year-old Karan Rastogi of India produced brave tennis against qualifier Julian Knowle of Austria, eventually going down 4-6, 1-6. The first set was close and one break of serve in the ninth game of the first set proved costly for the Indian. The Austrian, a doubles winner here last time, proved to be too strong in the second.
AITA clarification
AITA clarified that IMG confirmed a wild card to Harsh Mankad only at 8.25 a.m on Saturday, January 3, following which its office informed him immediately. AITA also expressed its unhappiness that Harsh Mankad was not received at the airport upon his arrival at Chennai and no accommodation was arranged for him. As Harsh was not in a State to play on Monday, it would have definitely been more convenient for him if his match was scheduled on Tuesday. However, AITA expressed its happiness that all three wild cards were issued to promising Indian Players. AITA said it was grateful to TATA's and IMG for the conduct of the event in India. The results (Ist round): Singles: 1-Carlos Moya (Esp) bt Noam Okun (Isr) 6-3, 6-4; 2-Paradorn Srichaphan (Tha) bt Albert Montanes (Esp) 6-1, 6-3; 3-Sjeng Schalken (Ned) bt Danai Udomchoke (Tha) 6-4, 7-5; 5-Felix Mantilla (Esp) bt Jan Vacek (Cze) 6-3, 7-6 (7-5); Julian Knowle (Aut) bt Karan Rastogi (Ind) 6-4, 6-1; Kenneth Carlson (Den) bt Paul-Henri Mathieu (Fra) 6-2, 1-0 (concd.). Doubles (Ist round): David Ferrer/Ruben Ramirez (Esp) bt Mustafa Ghouse/Harsh Mankad (Ind) 6-4, 3-6, 6-3; Petr Luxa/David Skoch (Czech) bt Galo Blanco/Albert Montanes (Esp) 6-1, 6-3.
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