Bhupathi sails past Kirtane with ease

If things went by the script for the home star, for others it was different. For the third seeded Andrei Merinov of Russia, seventh seed Rainer Falenti of Austria and fifth seeded Yeal Elrich of Israel it was an open and shut case. All falling to unseeded players at the very first hurdle.

Bhupathi, who had lost in the first round of the Mumbai Challenger, had a easy outing this time. He was a bit tentative in the initial sets, probably undecided whether to rush to the net or stay back. But soon it was clear whatever option he chose, Kirtane was in mood to trouble him.

All that Kirtane had to show from his outing was maintain his serve once in the first set and twice in the second, that too after a lot of effort.

Results (men’s singles) first round: David Nainkin (SA) bt Harsh Mankad (Ind) 7-5, 6-0; Frederic Fontang (Fra) bt Andrei Stoliarov (Rus) 6-2, 6-2; Steven Randjelovic (Aut) bt Emanuel Couto (Por) 7-6, (8-6), 7-6 (7-5); Joa Cunha-Silva (Por) bt Rainer Falenti (Aut) 6-4, 6-1; Martin Hromec (Cze) bt Andrei Merinov (Rus) 5-7, 6-2, 6-3; Ota Fukarek (Cze) bt Eyal Elrich (Isr) 6-4, 6-3. Mahesh Bhupathi bt Nitin Kirtane 6-1, 6-2; Vadim Kustsenko bt Laurence Tieleman 6-3, 6-1.