Paes goes down to Rafter

1It is fair to believe that against any opponent who was ranked even slightly below the World No 4, Paes would have ended up the winner. For so inspired was his play that even the US Open champion was bewildered. But Rafter is one of the leading players in the World and he warded off the mini crisis — Paes was two points awayfrom taking the match into the decider – with some breathtaking shots. Taking four points in a row, the 25-year-old Australian took his appointed place in Sunday’s final, where he meets defending champion Mikael Tillstrom of Sweden who made short work of Todd Woodbridge of Australia, 6-2, 6-2 in 62 minutes.

Ranked 124 places below Rafter, Paes was given little chance of even extending the Australian. But then when last did Paes give up without a fight? And in keeping with his reputation, the former Wimbledon junior champion not only extended the top seed but also had him in serious trouble in the second set.

And yet all the attention was confined to the second set for in a lacklustre first set, Paes was strangely off-colour. Rafter broke him in the fourth game and that was enough for the Australian to take the first set in 29 minutes.

Facing break point, Paes warded off the danger to hold serve in the first game of the second set. In the fourth game, it was Rafter’s turn to face a break point but hemanaged to hold on. Games went with serve till the ninth game. Repatedly passing Paes at the net, Rafter went ahead 5-4 and was serving for the match.

It was at this stage that Paes was a transformed man. He went on an all-out attack, took some risks and soon Rafter was facing break point. The crowd which had been pro-Rafter suddenly became vociferous in their support for Paes. On the second break point, Paes smashed to level the scores 5-5 amidst thunderous cheers. By now, Paes was all charged up and held serve at love. Rafter held his serve in the 12th game and the set duly went into the tie-breaker. Rafter went 2-0 ahead but a pumped up Paes brought off repeated winners to lead 5-3. However, Rafter kept his cool, served, stroke and volleyed effectively and clinched the match when Paes’ backhand volley sailed wide.

Tillstrom too good: Going into the match, Tillstrom was ranked 88th to his opponent’s 36. But it seemed like the ATP tour officials had got the rankings wrong. For, while Tillstrom wasdoing all the right things, Todd Woodbridge looked out of sorts. Tillstrom wrapped up the match with comfort with a 6-2, 6-2 verdict.

The 26-year-old fifth seed was a popular winner here last year – incidentally that was his first ATP tour title.