AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
Injured Srichaphan makes quick exit

Nadal booms but Rastogi wins hearts

C SHYAM SUNDAR

Chennai, Jan 5:
SPANISH POWER: Top-seed Rafael
Nadal goes for a big forehand in
the second-round match against
India's Karan Rastogi yesterday.
        In the end it was not as much a 'David vs Goliath' battle as many expected it to be. When many expected the young Indian - Karan Rastogi, to fold quickly, he made the top-seed Rafael Nadal work for the second-round win in the Chennai Open ATP tournament at the SDAT stadium, Nungambakkam.

        'He had nothing to loseA, and he played aggressively,' Nadal said after the match yesterday. 'I had to play hard in the first set.'

        As it usually happens with matches featuring a top player and a rookie, Rastogi's challenge fizzled out in the second set and he sank without a trace.

        'He played well. He has a very good future. He has not played too many matches at this level, which was his problem. But that he can improve on,' said Nadal of his opponent.

        That was indeed high praise coming from the Spaniard, who has spectacularly risen from another big-hitting teenager to a serious contender for the top ranking.       
French veteran Fabrice Santoro in action
against Bjorn Phau in the Chennai Open.
Photos: K Vijay Anand
        Rastogi, who is seen as the brightest Indian prospect, was happy with his showing. 'It was fantastic (playing the World No. 2). I proved to myself that I could play at that level. He raised his game a little in the second set. I just went with the flow, and managed to play a few good shots.'

        A little before the hugely popular Nadal took the court, another crowd favourite - Paradorn Srichaphan, was bounced out. Hampered by a wrist injury, the Thai ace was beaten, rather easily by Stefan Koubek.

        The Austrian obviously happy with his performance said, 'I am feeling stronger now after the injury problems (last year) and my aim is to be back in the top 50.'

        Meanwhile, veteran Frenchman banished to the outside courts, made short work of German Bjorn Phau to book a berth in the last eight.

        Results — Singles: Second round: Fabrice Santoro (Fra) bt Bjorn Phau (Ger) 6-4, 6-2; 1-Rafael Nadal (Esp) bt Karan Rastogi (Ind) 6-4, 6-1; Stefan Koubek (Aut) bt 7-Paradorn Srichaphan (Tha) 6-1, 6-2.

        Doubles: Xavier Malisse/ Dick Norman (Bel) bt Ivo Karlovic/ Lovro Zovko (Cro) 6-2, 6-7, 10-6; 1-Leos Friedl (Cze)/ Michael Kohlmann (Ger) bt Tomas Behrend (Ger)/ Robin Vin(Cze) 6-4, 6-4.

GO TOP  / HOME / OTHER SPECIAL STORIES