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This is an archive article published on December 25, 1998

Srinath bows out

AHMEDABAD, DEC 24: Prahlad Srinath went for the Himalayan rally with his fuel tank showing red. After the grueling drive around the circu...

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AHMEDABAD, DEC 24: Prahlad Srinath went for the Himalayan rally with his fuel tank showing red. After the grueling drive around the circuit all through the year with few stoppages, the only possible eventuality was a breakdown. It happened today as Anthony Dupuis of France whizzed past the struggling Indian 6-4 6-2 to enter the semi-final of the Bharat Petroleum ATP Challenger at the AGETA courts today.

The second-seeded Dupuis now plays Eyal Ran of Israel, a 6-2 1-6 6-2 winner over compatriot Ofer Sela. In the other quarter-finals, the seemingly unstoppable Oleg Ogorodov had another business-like 6-0 6-2 win over last year8217;s runners-up Oren Motevassel while qualifier Dimitri Tomashevic8217;s extended stay was curtailed by Kantero Masuda of Japan 6-4, 6-1.

Dupuis came into the match with a history of making mountains out of molehills. Lesser rivals have stretched things a bit too far against him. While Srinath, with his 8220;just go out and play8221; policy was, if not on cloud nine, certainly on four orfive.

8220;I was surely under pressure after not performing well in the first two matches,8221; said Dupuis after the match.

But Srinath gave him leg space, as a double fault in the first game at 30-40 gave Dupuis the first break. Srinath was broken again in the fifth game and Dupuis nosed ahead to lead 3-2. After that, the Indian tried to break back but Dupuis8217; high percentage of first serves did not allow that. Serving for the set, Dupuis came with two good serves and an ace to seal the issue at 6-4.

Srinath made a confident start to the second, winning his first service game at love. But Dupuis broke Srinath in the second game and the writing was on the wall 8212; it was over for the Indian. Srinath was once again broken as Dupuis took the second set at 6-2.

Results

Singles quarter-finals: K Masuda Japan bt D Tomeshevic Uzbekistan 6-4, 6-1; O Ogrorodov Uzbekistan bt O Motevassel Israel 6-0, 6-2; E Ran bt O Sela 6-2, 1-6, 6-2; A Dupuis bt P Srinath 6-4, 6-2.

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Doublesquarter-finals: N Okun amp; N Welgreen bt H Kaneko amp; M Takada 7-5, 6-2; B Cowan amp; M Maclagan bt I ljubicic amp; G Motomora 7-6 7-4, 4-6, 7-6 8-6.

Sandeep Dwivedi is the Sports Editor at The Indian Express. He is one of India's most prominent sports journalists, known for his deep analytical insights and storytelling that often goes beyond scores and statistics to explore the human and cultural side of sports. Professional Profile Role: As the Sports Editor, he leads the sports coverage for the newspaper and the website. Weekly Column: He writes "The Sports Column," a weekly feature where he provides sharp, narrative-driven perspectives on the biggest sporting news of the week. Podcast: He is a frequent contributor to the "Express Sports" podcast (Game Time), where he discusses evolving trends in cricket and other international sports. Areas of Expertise While Dwivedi covers the entire sporting spectrum, his work is particularly noted in the following areas: Cricket: He provides extensive coverage of the Indian National Team and the IPL. He frequently analyzes the leadership styles of figures like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Gautam Gambhir. He is known for tracking the transition phases of Indian cricket and the evolution of specific players like Kuldeep Yadav and Rishabh Pant. Athletics & Olympic Sports: He has written extensively on Neeraj Chopra’s rise in javelin, the nuances of Indian shooting, and tennis legends like Sania Mirza and Leander Paes. Human Interest Stories: A hallmark of his writing is his focus on the struggles and backgrounds of athletes, such as the sacrifices made by Shafali Verma’s father or the "silent battles" of veteran players like Cheteshwar Pujara. Notable Recent Work & Themes Leadership and Dynamics: Recently, he has written about the dynamic between Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma, arguing that personal friendship is not a prerequisite for team success. Sports & Culture: His articles often intersect with global culture, such as his deep dive into the 100-year legacy of the Harlem Globetrotters and their role as American soft power during the Cold War. The "Grey Areas" of Sport: He often addresses sensitive topics like the mental health of cricketers post-retirement, the "outrage industry" in sports broadcasting, and the impact of fan-wars on the game. Tenure and Experience Dwivedi has been with The Indian Express for over three decades. This experience allows him to provide historical context to modern sporting events, often comparing current crises or triumphs to those of previous generations. You can follow his latest work and columns on his official Indian Express Author Profile. ... Read More

 

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