Snapshot: 15-21 April in tennis
Here is a comprehensive look at this week’s tennis stories:
ATP Tour: Djokovic blitzes past Nadal
In one of the most anticipated matches of the year, Djokovic usurped the title which Nadal had held for the past eight years – the Monte Carlo Masters. In a shocking straight sets win, the Serb denied his opponent the privilege of winning his 47th straight match at Monaca. In the doubles finals too, the defending champions lost. Nenad Zimonjic and Julien Benneteau beat the Bryans 4-6, 7-6 (4), 14-12 .
Indian players in the tournament did not fare well. 6th seeds Bhupathi-Bopanna did not live up to their billing as they lost to the Indo-Austrian pair of Paes/Melzer (6-2 6-3) in the second round, who went onto lose to top seeds Bryans in the quarterfinals (6-4, 3-6, 5-10 ).
Challenger Tour: Somdev wins doubles title
India’s Somdev Devvarman reached the semis (singles) of the $ 100,000 challenger event in Sarasota. He exhibited great form in reaching the doubles finals with Serbian Ilija Bozoljac. The pair won the second set 7-3 in the tie break after losing the first 5-7, also in a tiebreak. The match proceeded to the super tie-break, which the Indo-Serbian pair won 11-9. They entered the main draw as qualifiers and defeated 2nd seeds Murray/Peers (3-6 6-1 10-4 ), champions in last week’s ATP event in Houston, en route to the finals.
Elsewhere, in Mexico City, the Indian duo of Raja-Sharan reached the quarters of the doubles event.
ITF Futures (Men and Wome): Ankita wins in Chennai
Saketh Myneni, lost in the first round of doubles and second round of singles of the $ 15,000 US futures. Apparently, he suffered from an injury.
In Namangan $15,000 futures, N.Presanth reached the second round and Ranjit VM reached the quarters. In the doubles event, the pair reached the semis.
In the Chennai $10,000 women’s event, India’s Ankita Raina won the tournament, her first title this year after 2 runner-up finished to Barbara Luz in the earlier tournaments in India, braving the heat and illness. She defeated Natasha Paltha 6-3 6-1 to win the title. In the doubles finals, Palha teamed up with Prarthana Thombare to defeat Raina and veteran Rushni Chakravarthi 5-7 6-3 10-6.
It seems as though Indians are headed for a good season ahead.