The Hindu : Sport : Robredo overcomes Peya

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Thursday, Sep 28, 2006
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Robredo overcomes Peya

Kamesh Srinivasan

STIFF OPENER: Russia's Dmitry Tursunov was tested by India's Akash Wagh in the Kingfisher Open in Mumbai on Wednesday. — Photo: AP

MUMBAI: Spain's Tommy Robredo laboured hard to outplay Alexander Peya of Austria 6-4, 6-2 in the first round of the $380,000 Kingfisher Airlines Tennis Open at the CCI courts here on Wednesday.

It was not as easy as the score may suggest, as the Austrian fought bravely and endured as many as nine deuces to hold serve in the ninth game of the first set.

However, the challenge could not be sustained against the 22-year-old, World No.11, who had beaten him in their only previous meeting two years ago at the U.S. Open, after he dropped serve to lose the initiative earlier in the fifth game.

Once Robredo served out the first set with an ace, after having missed one set-point with an uncharacteristic doublefault, he looked relieved as he had had to save four breakpoints and scamper to return a few delectable drops.

Two breaks

Though Peya started the second set with an ace, Robredo broke him in the first and third game to gain a stranglehold over the proceedings. The Spaniard unleashed spectacular backhand passing shots, one of which sent the Austrian sprawling on the court at the net.

"The first match is always tough. I was coming straight from Davis Cup. I am happy that I could play better in the second set", said Robredo, who later beat a local boy in a remote-controlled toy-car race on the court.

"It is a good start for me. It is important for me to do well here, as I am keen to get into the Masters event in Shanghai. It will be my first entry to the year-end event and I am working hard to get there", said Robredo, who has two titles this season, including the Masters series event at Hamburg.

It was expected that Russia's Davis Cup hero Dmitry Tursunov would have a walk in the park against the 16-year-old Indian wild card Akash Wagh.

It was not to be as the 413th ranked junior in the world, Akash, who has played mostly in the Grade 4 and 5 events of the ITF junior circuit in his fledgling career, coped with the pace of the seasoned pro and captured everyone's imagination by slamming three aces to hold serve in the ninth game of the second set.

Akash, who trains at Mahesh Bhupathi's Academy in Bangalore, had seven aces to five by the Russian and was not overawed by the reputation of his opponent or the power of his game.

The young boy, who had nothing to lose, went for everything and did not bother about missing the lines by a mile most of the time. What was impressive was the ability of the Pune lad to play on equal terms and he competently stayed in the rallies quite often, once despite a broken gut.

Passing litmus test

Playing on court No.1 in front of about 50-odd cheering supporters, the National junior champion not only passed the litmus test but also showed that he had the potential to measure up to the high standards of professional tennis.

Wagh was rewarded with $3650 for his singles effort. He had pocketed his share of $1000 for the doubles first round the previous day. Though it may be quite a pay for a combined stay of about two hours on court in two matches, Akash would have learnt more priceless lessons that would stand him in good stead.

The Russian was tired after a long flight and the Davis Cup exploits. He was understandably quiet till he was broken in the fourth game of the second set, thanks to a doublefault on breakpoint.

There was no mercy thereafter but Akash had indeed made his point.

The results:

Singles (first round): Tommy Robredo (Esp) bt Alexander Peya (Aut) 6-4, 6-2; Dmitry Tursunov (Rus) bt Akash Wagh 6-2, 7-5; Tomas Berdych (Cze) bt Lukasz Kubot (Pol) 6-2, 6-2; Nicolas Devilder (Fra) bt Rik De Voest (RSA) 6-4, 4-6, 6-3.

Tuesday's result: Juan Martin Del Potro (Arg) bt Carlos Moya (Esp) 6-3, 6-2.

Doubles: Pre-quarterfinals: James Auckland & Jamie Delgado (GBR) bt Stefano Galvani & Davide Sanguinetti (Ita) 6-3, 5-7, 10-8.

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