The Hindu : Sport / Squash : Arcucci optimistic

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Jul 20, 2004

Sport

Sport - Squash

Arcucci optimistic

By S.R. Suryanarayan

CHENNAI, JULY 19. Just two matches in the qualifying draw made for a quiet start to the Chennai-ICL Open 2004, the super satellite $6000 squash tournament, at the TNSRA courts on Monday.

The players who were involved in the two matches were all Indians. But the man on whom there would be so much focus in the next few days was relaxing outside the glass court after a rigorous practice session. Jean-Michel Arcucci is not new to the sport, in fact the top seed here with a rank of 53 in the PSA circuit, but was a first timer to the country. "I have come up to Pakistan, seen the cities there and I thought India would be no different," he said quite satisfied that things were lot different here, lot pleasanter than he had expected. Having gone around the globe for tournaments, Arcucci had long waited for this trip to India, having landed here direct from Egypt in the early hours today.

Egypt is currently the temporary home for this man from Marseille, because he trains there in better conditions and also because his girlfriend, a Filipino lives there. Quite impressed with the facilities at the TNSRA courts, something he honestly admits does not exist in his homeland, Arcucci is looking forward to the tournament with so much enthusiasm.

For someone whose best ranking on the PSA circuit was 36 two years ago, dropping from that level meant, slipping in confidence. "My aim is to regain the confidence and the hunger for success", he said. The Chennai Open with a modest field could just provide the kick-start, he added.

How does France figure in squash? " Well, we have two players in the top ten, Thierry Lincou and Gregory Gauttier. Lincou is number three now but was number one sometime ago. We are runner-up to England in the European team championship", he said to emphasise the rivalry the country enjoys with England as also the firm roots the sport has. Still he says football corners all the attention.

Arcucci does not regret that. "In Marseille, there are two things famous, the Church there and the football club", to stress the popularity of football, a sport in which France was World champion. But for now Arcucci wants to concentrate on the task in hand before indulging in two other things he had planned: a visit to the seaside and savour some hot Indian curry!

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