Srinath, Fazal in semis clash

MUMBAI, MAY 27: Indian Davis Cuppers Prahlad Srinath and Syed Fazaluddin lined up a semi-final clash in the 6,250 ITF Men's Satellite Ci...

MUMBAI, MAY 27: Indian Davis Cuppers Prahlad Srinath and Syed Fazaluddin lined up a semi-final clash in the 6,250 ITF Men8217;s Satellite Circuit tennis second-leg at GA Ranade Tennis Centre today.

Srinath completed Sandeep Kirtane8217;s demolition just as the sun broke through for the first time on a dull morning, while Vishaal Uppal could not raise his performance against Fazaluddin. Srinath won 6-3, 6-2, Fazaluddin 6-2, 6-3 but Harsh Mankad failed to ignite today.

After a gung-ho performance yesterday, Mankad looked like some other player, clueless against second seed Artem Derepasko Rus who authored a mechanical 6-2, 6-3 win.

The only semblance of drama took place in the far court as Mohammed Khaliq Pak could not make up his mind against Anton Kokurin Uzb. Khaliq trailed 2-6 and then blanked Kokurin in the next set.

Leading 5-2 in the decider, Khaliq seemed to have decided to take a place in the semis. Or so it appeared.

Before long, scores were levelled 5-5 and then 6-6. The tie-breaker alsobroke Khaliq8217;s indecision. Six straight points and Khaliq was through 7-1.

In complete contrast, Srinath played for a little over an hour and did just about 8220;enough8221; for him to advance. He broke Kirtane twice each in both sets and that did the job.

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Fazaluddin improved as the match wore on. Though Uppal had the first chance, he dropped two break points. Fazaluddin capitalised, breaking with a forehand pass. Uppal, leading 40-15, dropped the next four points to trail by a set.

Though Uppal finally managed a break of serve in the first game of the next set, it was but an aberration. Fazaluddin kept plugging the holes and closed the match in an hour and 15 minutes.

Results seedings in prefix

Men8217;s singles quarter-finals: 1-Prahlad Srinath Ind bt 7-Sandeep Kirtane Ind 6-2, 6-3; 3-Syed Fazaluddin Ind bt Vishaal Uppal Ind 6-3, 6-2; Mohammed Khaliq Pak bt Anton Kokurin Uzb 2-6, 6-0, 7-6 7-1; 2-Artem Derepasko Rus bt Harsh Mankad Ind 6-2, 6-3.

Men8217;s doublessemi-finals: Sandeep/Nitin Kirtane bt Alexandre Sikanov/Andrei Younzyi 6-1, 6-3; Syed Fazaluddin/Ashley Ford bt Harsh Mankad/Artem Derepasko 7-6 7-0, 6-3.