The Hindu : Moya dethrones Srichaphan

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Jan 12, 2004

Sport

Sport - Tennis

Moya dethrones Srichaphan

By K. Keerthivasan

Carlos Moya raises his arms in triumph after beating Paradorn Srichaphan in the final of the Tata Open in Chennai on Sunday. — Photo: M. Moorthy

CHENNAI, JAN. 11. He broke his finger when he came here in 1999 as a top seed and also broke the hearts of thousands of fans. This time around, he came much more prepared and much more fitter.

Playing well throughout, Carlos Moya, the top seed from Spain, capped a wonderful week by overcoming a defiant Paradorn Srichaphan of Thailand, 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (7-5) to win the Tata Open tennis championship at the Nungambakkam Stadium here on Sunday.

In front of a packed stadium, the top two seeds played attacking tennis that was well appreciated by the spectators. Winning the service games became crucial and both players strove hard to hold on to their serves, before Moya stepped up the pedal in the third set tie-breaker.

After the first two sets were decided the moment a player's serve was broken, the decider had the audience spellbound. As expected in a match between two big servers, the third set too went with serve as both players kept slamming aces and good first serves whenever they were under pressure. There were some impeccable winners from the backcourt too from Moya and Srichaphan.

As the match reached its climax, it was Srichaphan who came up with pinpoint groundstrokes and it looked as if Srichaphan would keep his title. To make matters worse, Moya's backhand began finding the net quite often and he struggled to hold serve, especially in the 12th game of the third set. The Spaniard, however, closed out this game on his second gamepoint.

In a thrilling tie-breaker, Moya played the crucial points like a champion. Srichaphan went ahead 5-3 when Moya hit a forehand wide but the former World No. 1 and French Open champion levelled at 5 with an ace.

A Srichaphan forehand went long to give Moya his first matchpoint. The top seed made an excellent return which fell right on the line and forced the Thai to send his a forehand long. The wave from the Spaniard conveyed his feelings.

With this victory, Moya became the first Spaniard to claim the singles title. Except for the scare against Paul Goldstein of America, Moya was well in control here. The way he blew away Frenchman Thierry Ascione and Dutch Sjeng Schalken showed his form and class.

"Today was a tough match and anything could have happened. The crowd was excellent and supporting both of us. He was serving well, and for me to get to the tie-breaker, was an advantage,'' said Moya, who captured his first ATP title of the year and 15th career crown.

Defending champion Srichaphan did not sound bitter, and was in fact, all praise for his opponent. "I had my chances at 5-3 on my serve in the tie-breaker. We played a good match. He has improved his serves really well. It is nice to see a tournament with two top players playing in the final. The Tournament Director was happy,'' said the Thai.

Moya received $52, 000 plus 35 ATP Champions Race points while Srichaphan got $30,600 and 24 points.

Suspense continues

Regarding the million-dollar question about the tournament's future in Chennai, Ravi Krishnan, MD, India and South Asia, IMG-TWI, said, "We are hoping to stay in Chennai. There has been no real development though we have been working really hard on this front.''

The results (finals):

Singles: Carlos Moya (Esp) bt Paradorn Srichaphan (Tha) 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (7-5).

Doubles: Rafael Nadal-Tommy Robredo (Esp) bt Jonathan Elrich-Andy Ram (Isr) 7-6 (7-3), 4-6, 6-3.

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