The Hindu : Sport : Nadal's doubles win brightens first day

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Tuesday, Jan 02, 2007
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Nadal's doubles win brightens first day

Nandita Sridhar

WINNING START: Julien Benneteau had little trouble beating a rather temperamental Teimuraz Gabashvili. — PHOTO: R. Ragu

Chennai: Helium packed balloons set free on Centre Court marked the opening of the 2007 Chennai Open, with the action having already commenced in the outside courts.

Nicolas Mahut clinching a semi-close match against Alejandro Falla, Julien Benneteau downing Teimuraz Gabashvilli — a Russian with the histrionic ability of Marat Safin but not quit the talent, and Vishal Uppal and Ashutosh Singh proving as aimless as the balloons threatened to dull the opening day at the Nungambakkam Stadium on Monday.

The giant screen, in perfect view from the outside courts, proved a worthy distraction for viewers to catch a glimpse of Rafael Nadal, surprisingly the only big name in action in the opening day of the tournament.

Thankfully for the crowds, the combined energy of Nadal and his partner Bartolome Salva-Vidal turned the opening day from drab to decent.

The Spanish duo proved unstoppable, packing off defending champions and second seeds Michal Mertinak and Petr Pala 6-1, 6-3, in the first round of the doubles.

Good volleying practice

Nadal, who will play in the singles first round on Tuesday, chose the perfect way to warm up and practice his volleying. His trademark shots were in display, with his younger partner all jack-in-the-box in his enthusiasm and energy.

Vidal, obviously excited with all the cheering played in extremes, but Nadal was the perfect senior partner to the Mallorcan rookie.

"I love the doubles, and I enjoy it a lot, and I won here two years ago. It helps me in my game, in my volleying, movement and serve," said Nadal, whose decision to play doubles with Vidal was based on, he said, the "close friendship" that the two share.

With the crowds having turned up on New Year's day with the obvious intent of watching Nadal, they got their money's worth.

"I'd like to thank the public, they were very nice," he said, with characteristic boyish charm.

Tough fight

Earlier, Nicolas Mahut, the eighth seed, had it tough for a while against the left-handed Falla when the latter fought back in the first set, after being 0-3 down.

Mahut clinched the last two games of the first set, thanks to his solidity near the baseline.

The second set saw the Frenchman clinch the last two games, again, with his oppnent choking at the important points.

Fourth seed Benneteau thrived on his opponent's inconsistent first serves, but was forced to watch a few good winners as well. He won 6-3, 6-4.

Wildcard Praksh Amritraj lost 7-6(3), 6-3 to Ivo Karlovic in a close match. The first set went on serve, with the big Croat's serve not the easiest to break. The second set was easier for Karlovic.

The results: Singles: Julien Benneteau (Fra) bt Teimuraz Gabashvili (Rus) 6-3, 6-4; Nicolas Mahut (Fra) bt Alejandro Falla (Col) 7-5, 6-4. Kevin Kim (USA) bt Simon Greul (Ger) 1-6, 6-2, 6-3; Stefano Galvani (Ita) bt Yen-Hsun Lu (Tpe) 6-2, 6-3. Doubles: Rafael Nadal & Bartolome-Salva Vidal (Esp) bt Michal Mertinak (Svk) & Petr Pala (Cze) 6-1, 6-3; Rainer Schuettler (Ger) & Tomas Cibulec (Cze) bt Christopher Kas (Ger) & Philipp Petzschner (Ger) 2-6, 6-3, 10-0; Robin Vik (Cze) & Thoms Behrend (Ger) bt Ashutosh Singh & Vishal Uppal 6-4, 6-4.

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