CHENNAI: It’s not every day Yuki Bhambri starts off as the odds-on favourite, especially up against the world no.16 and tournament’s No.3 seed.
The Indian wild card entrant’s second round clash with Fabio Fognini at the Chennai Open started with the Italian’s pullout looking imminent as he had been suffering from a thigh muscle strain. The only surprise of the match was the distance Fognini lasted.
After struggling on the court for about an hour and taking two medical timeouts, Fognini announced his retirement when the second set was evenly poised at 5-5. Yuki, who had taken the first 6-1, sailed into his maiden ATP quarterfinals. The Delhi lad also became the third Indian to reach the last eight stage here, emulating the likes of Leander Paes (1998) and Somdev Devvarman (2009).
It may have come rather easily, but Yuki said he would take the win. “Reaching the quarterfinals of a Tour event especially at home is really special. It wasn’t as easy as the score line suggested. Fognini broke me in the second set and I had to stay focussed throughout,” said the world no. 195 and the winner of the 2009 Australian Open junior crown.
Yuki showed glimpses of his newly-developed weapon — backhand, even as his opponent was struggling to move around. He also caught the eye with his net play. Yuki next meets fifth seed Vasek Pospisil, the Canadian who progressed without even stepping on the court.
Pospisil was given a walkover by Chinese Taipei’s Yen-Hsun Lu who injured his right thigh muscle during Wednesday night’s doubles match. The ongoing edition has been dogged by a rash of retirements/ withdrawals. As many as five players have left Chennai citing various injuries including second-seeded Russian Mikhail Youzhny, his countryman Alexander Kudryavtsev and German Julian Reister.
Meanwhile, local boy Ramkumar Ramanathan’s fairytale run as a qualifier was halted by Spaniard Marcel Granollers. Ramkumar went down 2-6, 4-6 in just over an hour, but not before a gallant fight.
Playing his sixth successive match in as many days, Ramkumar broke the world no. 38 twice in the second set to make it 4-4 only to lose his next service game. Ramkumar said he was disappointed with his serve that cost him the ninth game and then the set.
In the quarterfinals, Granollers will take on fourth seed Benoit Paire who advanced after a 6-1, 6-4 mauling of Spaniard Guillermo Garcia-Lopez.
Results (Round 2): Yuki Bhambri (Ind) bt Fabio Fognini (Ita) 6-1, 5-5 (retired); Marcel Granollers (Spa) bt Ramkumar Ramanathan (Ind) 6-2, 6-4; Vasek Pospisil (Can) w/o Yen-Hsun Lu (Tpe); Benoit Paire (Fra) bt Guilermo Garcia-Lopez (Spa) 6-1, 6-4.
Ravi enjoying his dream
Ravi enjoying his dream
DC/ C. SANTHOSH KUMAR
CHENNAI: Tennis fascinated him when he was a kid. And he pursued it with passion to win the national U-14 title. He also realised his dream of becoming a professional player. Now, the game is part of his job. Meet Ravishankar Pathanjali, a senior manager (strategic initiative and business development) with IMG-Reliance.
“It was a bit surreal when I joined IMG-Reliance (promoters of the Chennai Open) in 2009. Having watched the likes of Thomas Enqvist and Rafael Nadal play here, winning this tournament was one of my childhood dreams, but I ended up working behind the scenes. The joy of being associated with the country’s only ATP event is as good as winning it, if not better,” said Ravishankar, a veritable Chennai man, who had attempted twice to qualify for the main draw here.
The 31-year-old Ravishankar’s role at the Chennai Open is co-ordinating between the sponsors and players for promotional activities. Having played the game is a big plus for his job, according to Ravishankar. “Sometimes, I have to pinch myself to realise that I am liaising with some of the best tennis players. The camaraderie I share with the players makes my job a little easier,” said Ravishankar.
A talented left-handed player at the junior level, Ravishankar had beaten the likes of Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi, Go Soeda and Rajeev Ram, but he struggled to find his feet on the pro circuit. He won three ITF doubles crowns and was once ranked 614 in singles and 368 in doubles.
The minute he realised it would be difficult to progress as a pro, Ravishankar turned his attention elsewhere. “I had a very bad shin split and I was struggling a lot with that for a few months before I decided to call it a day in 2007. I felt that my heart was not in tennis.
“It’s a very competitive field and one needs to have a burning desire to stay on and travel week in and week out. I wasn’t not a big fan travelling either. Pursuing MBA in sports management (in San Diego state university) proved pivotal,” added Ravishankar who learnt the ropes here at the erstwhile Tennis Training Centre in Arumbakkam before his stints at Britannia Amritraj Tennis Academy and Krishnans Tennis Centre.
Ram’s dream run ends
Ram’s dream run ends
DC/ Hari Kishore M
CHENNAI: The local boy’s dream run in the tournament has come to an end. Ramkumar Ramanathan lost to the experienced Marcel Granollers of Spain 2-6, 4-6. Although his quest for the title in the singles is over, Ramkumar stays on to play the doubles with his partner N. Sriram Balaji.
On whether he could have pulled it off: I thought I could. Marcel was making me play a lot. It was a big game for me. He gave me two breaks which I did not utilise. It was a good experience playing him.
On being pursued by autograph hunters: It is a great moment. It is possible because of the hard work I put in all these years. The passion and the love for the game keeps me motivated to perform better.
His takeaway from the match: I was a little tense. I was lacking first serve percentages. My return was also not good. I have to improve both. On using the slice shot repeatedly: I wanted to commit him into volleybing but the ploy didn’t work.
On playing back to back matches for six days: It was not taxing at all. I was totally fit.
On his chances to get into the Davis Cup team: No comments.
On his performance in the tournament: The entire credit goes to my coaches in the Sanchez Casal Academy in Spain. I came this far in the tournament thanks to their training methods.
‘Retirements out of our control’
‘Retirements out of our control’
DC/ Hari Kishore M
CHENNAI: It is never easy for the tournament director when six players leave midway due to ill health. Although health issues are completely out of anyone’s control, Chennai Open director Tom Annear admitted that the spate of withdrawals was worrying. “I am concerned as a tournament director because we work hard to bring the best players here,” said
Annear said the players can request for a delay in the start of the match if they feel they need extra time to get ready. “There is a provision to ask for a delayed start. Fognini did request for it and he tried to work it through but unfortunately couldn’t,” he added.
Annear made it clear that the system was transparent and the players do not take their appearance fee and leave. “The business side is different from the playing side. We work with the players very closely. We talk to them before they get to the court and the tournament. If they are not completely fit, we ask them not to show up,” the tournament director said.
The ATP does not put pressure on a player to continue playing if he is not fit. “We encourage the player to play but never take decisions on their behalf on whether to continue playing or withdraw.
“It is always the player’s decision. They work with their team of trainers, physios and coaches and we respect their decision,” said Annear.
There are some formalities to be completed once a player declares he is unfit for the match and the tournament. “Once a player feels he is not fit to play, he has to sign a form and get it authorised by a medical examiner in the stadium. The medical examiner then certifies the fitness of the player and the whole process is documented,” Annear added.
School kids have a whale of a time
School kids have a whale of a time
DC/ Hari Kishore M
Around 35 students of Government Higher Secondary School in Kannagi Nagar got a firsthand experience of the stadium atmosphere when they were presented tickets by the tournament sponsor.
“These kids are all from poorer section of the society and their parents cannot get them a ticket to the stadium. Hence, we spoke to the sponsors (Aircel), who conduct computer classes in our school, to give us match tickets and they have obliged,” said the school’s English teacher Lenin Soundarya, who accompanied the students.
The teachers want all the students of the school to visit the stadium once before the tournament ends so that they cherish the experience for a long time to come.
A fan from the far away land
Chennai’s Ramkumar Ramanathan is not only a local hero but has managed to get himself some fan following from England too. Alex Robinson from Durham, England, was a tennis player back home, featuring in a couple of Futures tournaments, and knows the nuances of the game well.
“His game is amazing. He has a strong serve and good fitness. The exposure he gets from this tournament will go a long way in shaping his career,” he said. Alex also hopes that the Chennai lad gets a couple of Grand Slam entries this year that will help him grow as a player.
A volunteer and a reporter
A man with a soft heart, Italian, Davide Orioli, has taken up volunteering with NGOs across the world as his profession. After touring Europe and Africa, Davide’s next stop was Chennai.
Enrolled as a social worker in Udhavum Karangal, this Italian teaches computers to under-privileged children. The tennis buff has taken on the job of reporting the Chennai Open for an Italian website, www.ubitennis.com.
Orioli is rooting for the odds-on favourite Stanislas Wawrinka to clinch the title. This Federer fan is enjoying his experience in the city and the stadium and hopes to come back next year as well.
Faces in the crowd
These two best friends and classmates have made the SDAT Stadium their home on all match days for the last 10 years. They do not play tennis but their passion for the game makes them attend the country’s only ATP tournament every year.
Who are they?
S. Srivas and K.E. Srivatsav.
How old are they? 17.
Where are they from? Chennai.
What are they? Plus Two students at PSBB, Nungambakkam.
Who are they rooting for and why?
While Srivas is rooting for Dudi Sela, Srivatasav feels Wawrinka has the best chance to win the trophy.
What is their best experience in the stadium?
Screaming their heart out from the stands and getting a chance to interact with players.
