Dramatic win for Bhupathi-Paes duo
DOHA: They fight better on court, than off it! Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi showed why they are two of the finest sportspersons the country has ever produced as they fought off seven matchpoints to defend the doubles gold medal against the Thai twins, Sanchai Ratiwatana and Sonchat Ratiwatana, in a titanic thriller at the Khalifa Tennis Stadium here on Wednesday.
The men's doubles gold looked to be eluding the grasp as Bhupathi faced six matchpoints on his serve in the 12th game of the second set. But the Indian duo prevailed 5-7, 7-6(7), 6-3.
Paes came up with some of the best volleys, the drops in particular, that one had ever seen him play and Bhupathi came up with the big first serves in time to wriggle out of the tight corner. This was the two at their fighting best.
However, the tension for the packed gathering that was literally praying for an Indian victory without much conviction, was not over as yet, for the former world No.1 duo faced a seventh matchpoint at 6-7 in the tie-break. Paes pulled out another one of his drop volleys. Thereafter, it was time to soar.
Fired up
Paes was fully charged up for the fight by now and Bhupathi was also finding his range — he was struggling for the most part.
The Thais, who played brilliantly till then, started feeling the pressure once Paes set up a second setpoint for the Indian pair with an overhead. In an anti-climax to a spectacular fight, the Ratiwatanas doublefaulted to let the match drift into the decider and played right into the hands of the Indian pair, who rose to the occasion to cruise to a smooth finish despite Bhupathi dropping serve in the third game.
The delay due to a brief spell of rain after the first point in the decider did not check the momentum of the Indian pair who raced to a 4-1 lead. Paes eventually served out the match from 15-40 down, and the stadium stood as one man to roar its appreciation.
"I must congratulate the Thais. They threw everything at us, including the kitchen sink. We fought hard and won by the skin of our teeth. We have worked hard all week," said Paes.
Sania finishes second
Earlier, Sania Mirza found herself unable to cope with the superb game of the second seeded Zheng Jie, who moved with great speed and hit with remarkable punch to push the 20-year-old Hyderabad lass on the backfoot.
It was a credit to Sania's fighting qualities that she was able to take a set off her opponent, who had won two WTA Tour singles titles this season.
Into the decider, the difference between the two players was distinct and Sania wound up rather tamely with two doublefaults.
That, however, will not take away her courageous performance in clinching the silver medal in both the individual and team events.
"She played better than me. I didn't play my best tennis today and I didn't convert my chances," admitted the 66th ranked Sania.
"Hats off to her. She was outstanding today. Had she capitalised on the early openings it could have been a different story, as Sania is a good front-runner," said coach Enrico Piperno.
Back on court
There was more unfinished work for the evening, as Leander and Sania stepped back on the centre-court to regale the capacity crowd under the floodlight, in capturing another gold medal.
The top-seeded Indian pair, which had already improved upon its bronze medal won in the same event four years ago, combined very well to subdue the Japanese, Satoshi Iwabuchi and Akiko Morigami 7-5, 5-7, 6-2.
Of course, Leander had to do a lot of work, and he was ready for the challenge despite the energy sapping and emotionally draining experience earlier in the doubles.
Sania was equal to the task and showed her skills at the net and hit her groundstrokes as sharp as ever. Never mind the errors at the net, as she was bound to be overshadowed, playing with the quickest player at the net with the best hands in the world.
Discordant note
The only discordant note on Leander's part was when he caught Morigami square on her back with a volley even as she was taking evasive action, while converting a breakpoint in the ninth game of the second set. Leander himself was aghast at his misdemeanour and was apologetic as he stood at the net with his hands on head.
That affected his concentration and Leander could not serve out the match in the next game. It was only an aberration to his impeccable behaviour on court, but it possibly let things drift.
But, not for long, as the Indian pair asserted itself in the third set, much to the jubilation of the delirious crowd. Leander thumped a backhand volley winner, and hugged his partner in congratulation.
The men's doubles gold looked to be eluding the grasp as Bhupathi faced six matchpoints on his serve in the 12th game of the second set. But the Indian duo prevailed 5-7, 7-6(7), 6-3.
Paes came up with some of the best volleys, the drops in particular, that one had ever seen him play and Bhupathi came up with the big first serves in time to wriggle out of the tight corner. This was the two at their fighting best.
However, the tension for the packed gathering that was literally praying for an Indian victory without much conviction, was not over as yet, for the former world No.1 duo faced a seventh matchpoint at 6-7 in the tie-break. Paes pulled out another one of his drop volleys. Thereafter, it was time to soar.
Fired up
Paes was fully charged up for the fight by now and Bhupathi was also finding his range — he was struggling for the most part.
The Thais, who played brilliantly till then, started feeling the pressure once Paes set up a second setpoint for the Indian pair with an overhead. In an anti-climax to a spectacular fight, the Ratiwatanas doublefaulted to let the match drift into the decider and played right into the hands of the Indian pair, who rose to the occasion to cruise to a smooth finish despite Bhupathi dropping serve in the third game.
The delay due to a brief spell of rain after the first point in the decider did not check the momentum of the Indian pair who raced to a 4-1 lead. Paes eventually served out the match from 15-40 down, and the stadium stood as one man to roar its appreciation.
"I must congratulate the Thais. They threw everything at us, including the kitchen sink. We fought hard and won by the skin of our teeth. We have worked hard all week," said Paes.
Sania finishes second
Earlier, Sania Mirza found herself unable to cope with the superb game of the second seeded Zheng Jie, who moved with great speed and hit with remarkable punch to push the 20-year-old Hyderabad lass on the backfoot.
It was a credit to Sania's fighting qualities that she was able to take a set off her opponent, who had won two WTA Tour singles titles this season.
Into the decider, the difference between the two players was distinct and Sania wound up rather tamely with two doublefaults.
That, however, will not take away her courageous performance in clinching the silver medal in both the individual and team events.
"She played better than me. I didn't play my best tennis today and I didn't convert my chances," admitted the 66th ranked Sania.
"Hats off to her. She was outstanding today. Had she capitalised on the early openings it could have been a different story, as Sania is a good front-runner," said coach Enrico Piperno.
Back on court
There was more unfinished work for the evening, as Leander and Sania stepped back on the centre-court to regale the capacity crowd under the floodlight, in capturing another gold medal.
The top-seeded Indian pair, which had already improved upon its bronze medal won in the same event four years ago, combined very well to subdue the Japanese, Satoshi Iwabuchi and Akiko Morigami 7-5, 5-7, 6-2.
Of course, Leander had to do a lot of work, and he was ready for the challenge despite the energy sapping and emotionally draining experience earlier in the doubles.
Sania was equal to the task and showed her skills at the net and hit her groundstrokes as sharp as ever. Never mind the errors at the net, as she was bound to be overshadowed, playing with the quickest player at the net with the best hands in the world.
Discordant note
The only discordant note on Leander's part was when he caught Morigami square on her back with a volley even as she was taking evasive action, while converting a breakpoint in the ninth game of the second set. Leander himself was aghast at his misdemeanour and was apologetic as he stood at the net with his hands on head.
That affected his concentration and Leander could not serve out the match in the next game. It was only an aberration to his impeccable behaviour on court, but it possibly let things drift.
But, not for long, as the Indian pair asserted itself in the third set, much to the jubilation of the delirious crowd. Leander thumped a backhand volley winner, and hugged his partner in congratulation.
Source : Hindu
posted by anandsonline @ Thursday, December 14, 2006
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