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, 8220;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.8221;

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 Mankad8217;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.

8220;My serve let me down today,8221; 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