Indian challenge in singles ends

The only Indian now left in the competition is Syed Fazaluddin. In association with Cedric Kauffmann of France, Fazaluddin moved into doubles semi-finals with a 7-6 (8-6), 6-2 victory over Aisam Qureshi of Pakistan and Andy Ram of Israel. The quarter-final duel lasted 78 minutes.

The second Indian figuring in quarter-final doubles was Uppal. Partnering Todd Meringoff, Uppal lost to two metre, eight cm tall Ivo Karlovic of Croatia and Michael Kogan of Israel 4-6, 3-6. There were defaults galore. Merringoff committed five and Karlovic seven.

Amazed at the height of Karlovic, Uppal said in a lighter vein, “It was a very high lob by me which Karlovic nailed in a smooth action. Later on, I realised I was not playing against Sridhar or any other Indian.”

None of the pre-quarter-finals singles matches went to the third set. The longest match of the day was between sixth seed Yves Allegro of Switzerland (475) and Simon Aspelin of Sweden (576). It lasted 94 minutes. Allegro won 7-6 (4), 6-4.

The quickest match was between Vinod Sridhar and top seed and 385th ranked Amir Hadad of Israel. The Israeli won 6-1, 6-1 in just 42 minutes.

From the Indian point of view, Mankad showed his quality but needs to play more international matches. In the seventh game of the second set, against qualifier Simon Larose of Canada, ranked 733, Mankad had one break point at 30-40. Larose made it deuce.

Again the receiver got the advantage. This opportunity also slipped out of Mankad’s hands and Larose held his serve for a 5-2 lead. In the ninth game, with Larose serving, Mankad returned well and the game went in favour of server after deuce.

“My serve let me down today,” commented Mankad after the match.

Vinod Sridhar was totally off colour today against Amir Hadad. In the first set, Sridhar was broken in the first, third, fifth and seventh games while Sridhar had a consolation break in the sixth game. Hadad won 6-1. The second set also went the same way. Hamad dropped just one game before winning it.

The second qualifier Armando Brunold of Switzerland maintained his winning spree. He ousted another qualifier Vishal Uppal 6-0, 6-1. Unseeded Ivo Karlovic of Croatia beat the winner of second seed Regis Lavergne, qualifier Ondrej Chvapil 6-4, 6-4 in 84 minutes.

RESULTS

Singles (pre-quarters): 1-Amir Hadad (Isr, 385) bt Q-Vinod Sridhar (Ind, 955) 6-1, 6-1, 8-Cedric Kauffmann (Fra, 508) bt Patrick Erhardt (Ger, 584) 6-3, 7-5, Q-Simon Merringoff (USA, 656) bt LL-Harsh Mankad (Ind) 6-2, 6-3, Q-Armando Brunold (Sui, 690) bt Q-Vishal Uppal (Ind, 1324) 6-0, 6-1, 6-Yves Allegro (Sui, 475) bt Simon Aspelin (Swe, 576) 7-6 (4), 6-4, 3-Jonathan Erlich (Isr, 415) bt Andy Ram (Isr, 605) 6-2, 6-1, Astem Derepasko (Rus, 607) bt LL-Jun Kato (USA, 935) 6-4, 6-2, Ivo Karlovic (Cro) bt Q-Ondrej Chvapil (Cze) 6-4, 6-4.

Doubles (QF): 2-Jonathan Erlich and Amir Hadad (Isr) bt Le Mih (USA) and Simon Larose (Can) 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, 4-Ivo Karlovic (Cro) and Michael Kogan (Isr) 6-3, 6-3, Syed Fazaluddin (Ind) and Cederic Koffmann (Fra) 7-6 (6), 6-2, 1-Simon Aspelin (Swe) and Jocelyn Robichaud (Can) bt Ondrej Chavpil and Jan Hernych (Cze) 5-7, 6-3 (3), 6-3.

(Seedings in prefix, Q-qualifier, LL-lucky loser)