Tennis Tournament - Day 14

Day 14 of the tourney, proved our prophecies about tough encounters in Mahasangraam right. We could hear this name raging around the court, like an 'Aakashwaani'. Here are the updates.

Deepan vs Shubha:
There are times in sports history, where both opposing players/teams, raise their game to such a level where winning or losing becomes secondary to the quality of the game they display. We as spectators then speculate, why should some one lose, why can't both be the winners. This encounter was a demonstration of this and it was a privilege to watch this game. Deepan and Shubha started from where they had left with scores of 2-6, 4-2. The second set was taken by Deepan 6-3 but that was just the beginning. Shubha fought hard in the first 2 games of set 3, against an opposing wind to win both of them. As the courts changed the Tiger got the advantageous side and won 2 more games. All this while, he had to face some hard hits and accurate placements from the Maratha. Thus the Tiger was leading 4-0 in the third set. At precisely this point Deepan unleashed his deadly game. Amidst long and tiring rallies, Deepan took 3 games on a trot. Even playing against the wind, he was able to hit powerful shots. At 4-3 the set looked evenly balanced. Then the longest game of the match began with Shubha to serve. We had 9 deuces and the advantages shared equally by both the players at 4 each. Shubha took the game finally but he had lost a lot of energy serving almost 24 times in that game. At 3-5 it was Deepan to serve to save the match, he took the game and the scores were at 5-4. Spirited Shubha, served for the match and got one match point but his weariness was evident. He lost the game and the set was even at 5-5. Deepan then got his reserve energies to play and took the set and the match 7-5. Finally, yes, there has to be a winner and there has to be a loser. For Shubha he fought like a tiger, not only against a tough opponent but also against an aching back and shoulder. For Deepan it was a hard fought victory, it was evident in his victory leap after the match. DVD coaching put to test ............. hmmmm.............. :-) .Hats off to both of you. A special thanx to Shubha for playing on the scheduled date against physical difficulties, respecting the schedules.

Final Result:: Deepan beat Shubha: 2-6,6-3,7-5.

Suchit-Pai vs Suraaj-Shashwath:
In yet another excitng encounter yesterday, Suchit-Pai were pitted against Shashwath-Suraaj. Suchit-Pai lived to their reputation initially and took a 3-0 lead in the first set, but Suraaj-Shashwath fought back to level the set 3-3. Then each team took one game at a time. There were long rallies, hard hits and volleys, as both the teams were fighting hard. At 5-5 in the first set, Suchit-Pai, broke through Suraaj-Shashwath to win a cliff-hanger of a set 7-5. There were some costly mistakes at crucial times from Suraaj-Shashwath which costed them the set. But so also was the net game of both Suchit and Pai. Both the players were agile at the net and snatched points from there opponents. The second set saw a bit more domination from Suchit-Pai but the fight was still on with the second set changing from a 4-0 lead for Suchit-Pai to 5-4. Amidst some great action to cap off the match Suraaj-Shashwath fought back a few match points but Suchit-Pai clinged on to win the match.

Final Result: Suchit-Pai beat Suraaj-Shashwath: 7-5, 6-4

Today's Upcoming Action:
In the first game for today, it will be the Stylish Vijay Ratthinam to face Shashwath Shetty in their singles match Shashwath beat Girish and Vijay beat American Pai in their round 1 matches. On the Center Court we heard someone saying 'Shash no big deal, look who I defeated in round 1, American Pai...'

The clash of the Titans continues as The Great Maratha Deepan meets The Achilles, Saurav. Deepan again a buoyant soul after his win yesterday, but has the fight at the back of his mind. Saurav is Mr.Confident after his 2 consecutive victories but this time the opponent is tougher.