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Rastogi impressive in defeat

Nandita Sridhar

THE MARCH CONTINUES: Rafael Nadal won in straight sets to move up. — Photo: R. Ragu

Chennai: As no-brainers go, this one was a foregone whomping waiting to happen. Just a few months separate the two, an insignificant trivia when compared to the 478 ATP places that separate them. Before he stepped on court, Karan Rastogi's ATP basket had enough in its near-emptiness for a slaughter, under Rafael Nadal's butcheresque racket. A less than 100% Rafael Nadal and a 4-6, 1-6 loss to the top-seed in the second round of the Chennai Open doesn't say enough about what Rastogi did on court.

Notwithstanding the huge gap between the two, there was no requirement for reverence, which Rastogi chose to dispense with once on court. Nadal played within himself in the first set, but what stood out was how quickly Rastogi got into rhythm, with no initial signs of nerves.

Close games

The first few games of the first set were long and close, with Rastogi choosing to come to the net, obviously aware that rallying with Nadal was an invitation for an on-court torture. Some of his volleys were crisp and effective, with a few successful attempts at smashing Nadal's top-spinners helping his confidence. "I knew that long rallies would not work against him," he said.

At 4-4 in the first set, Nadal broke Rastogi, after which a comeback was never in the reckoning. As much as Rastogi gave it his all, keeping up to the level of the World No.2 for two sets was never a possibility.

The second set was no different for the Indian, but much better for Nadal.

Serving a lot better and cutting down on his errors, the Spaniard was much more comfortable with Rastogi's flat returns and played a few great shots himself. Rastogi missed a few easy volleys in the second set, which was expectedly less close than the first.

Satisfied

"It was fantastic (playing the World No. 2). I proved to myself that I could play at that level. He raised his game a little in the second set. I just went with the flow, and managed to play a few good shots," said Rastogi, obviously satisfied with his performance.

"He played well. He has a very good future. He has not played too many matches at this level, which was his problem. But that he can improve on," said Nadal on his second-round opponent.

Notwithstanding the populace on the Centre Court, Rastogi was realistically under no pressure. It worked for him and helped him come up with one of his best performances.

Srichaphan out

Watching Paradorn Srichaphan go down to Stefan Koubek 6-1, 6-2 in the second round was painful. The Thai was himself in pain, and watching a former champion grimace on Centre Court is not something one wishes to see.

The seventh seed was never in the match, and an injury time-out after the first set for his right wrist meant it was all downhill after that. Koubek's forehand worked well for him, and he sent across a few top-spinners towards the end of the match (intentionally or otherwise), which Srichaphan's wrist could not successfully handle. A feeblest of returns marked the end of the torture, and the second consecutive disappointing year for the Thai.

The results: Second round: Singles: second round: Fabrice Santoro (Fra) bt Bjorn Phau (Ger) 6-4, 6-2; 1-Rafael Nadal (Esp) bt Karan Rastogi (Ind) 6-4, 6-1; Stefan Koubek (Aut) bt 7-Paradorn Srichaphan (Tha) 6-1, 6-2. Doubles: Xavier Malisse (Bel)/ Dick Norman (Bel) bt Ivo Karlovic (Cro)/ Lovro Zovko (Cro) 6-2, 6-7(5), 10-6; 1-Leos Friedl (Cze)/ Michael Kohlmann (Ger) bt Tomas Behrend (Ger)/ Robin Vin(Cze) 6-4, 6-4.

Wednesday's results:

Singles (second round): Ivo Karlovic (Cro) bt Kristian Pless (Den) 7-6(3), 7-6(2).

Doubles (first round): Sonchata Ratiwatana (Tha) & Paradorn Srichaphan (Tha) bt David Skoch (Cze) & Tomas Zib (Cze) 7-5, 2-6, 10-8; Malisse-Dick Norman (Bel) bt Davide Sanguinetti (Ita) & Alexander Waske (Ger) 4-6, 6-1, 10-7.

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