India tasted mixed luck on day one of the ongoing Chennai Open ATP championship with Prakash Amritraj disappointing.

By Bhagya Ayyavoo

Marin Cilic gave Chennai Open a winning start on a pleasant Monday evening. The No.3 seed progressed to the pre-quarters of the singles event with a 6-4,6-4 victory over Spain’s Alberto Martin in the opening match. The Croat was quite pleased with his effort. “It was a solid match. He wasn’t missing too many balls, so I had to win almost every point and I was serving in crucial moments to get some free points. That was also a good thing. I broke him in the beginning of the match and I had the lead. So, it was always pressure on him to catch up with me.” The 23-year-old, who is one of the favorites to win the event is not ready to be overwhelmed by the situation. “It’s still early in the tournament. There are a lot of players who can play very good. Of course lot of favorites. We will see what it is at the end of the week.”

In the second match of the inaugural evening, Germany’s Rainer Schuetteler undeterred by the home crowd showed Prakash Amritraj the exit in three sets. Earlier, Amritraj after losing the opener, bagged the second set with some aggressive tennis. “He played more aggressive that in the first set. I played a little bit too defensive. But I got an early break. He broke later on. And that’s the secret, he just went for the shots. He served well. And so he deserved the second set. Of course, I shouldn’t have lost my service game with three unforced errors at 1-1, but that can happen” said the German who tightened his grip on the match in the decider to claim his first win. Meanwhile, the Indian No.2 blamed himself for not converting the half chances, “In the first two games I missed a couple of easy returns I shouldn’t have missed. Again I lost my serve and then I missed an easy volley and hit a lose forehand. And in the next game I had a break point and missed it. Once I let that go, I got a little frustrated and let a couple of points slip. And once he got the second break, he played a good last game.”

In the other big games, Yuki Bhambri along with partner Harsh Mankad crashed out of the doubles as well. The Indian duo had no answers to the American pair, Eric Butorac and Rajeev Ram in their 6-1,6-2 loss. There was yet another Indian exit in the doubles field. Rohan Bopanna and his Italian partner Flavio Cipolla crashed out of the team event. The Indo-Italian duo lost to Scott Lipsky and David Martin of USA in straight sets, Elsewhere, Carlos Moya - Pablo Andujar lost to Janko Tipsarevic - Oliver Marach duo in three entertaining sets. Score: 6-3,3-6, 4-10.

Earlier, Rohan Bopanna headlined day 1 after qualifying for the singles main draw defeating Michael Berrer of Germany in three sets, 3-6,6-4,6-3.  Bopanna has set up a re-match with Uzbekistan’s top seed Denis Istomin. “It is really tough match for sure because I remember the match in Davis Cup. It was very tough. But, I will give my best, give everything. We will see. Bopanna is playing well, I saw his match (final qualifier). He is in good form.” said Istomin. Cilic, also feels the clash between the Indian and the Uzbek will be worth their money for the Indian supporters, “Denis has been playing some good tennis to break into the 100s. Crowd is going to be a major factor. It’s going to be quite interesting.”
 
 
Results – Day 1 (January 5)

Men’s Singles 

Marin Cilic(CRO) beat Alberto Martin(ESP)  6-4, 6-4

Rainer Schuettler(GER) beat Prakash Amritraj(IND) 6-2, 4-6, 6-1

Bjorn Phau(GER) beat  Santiago Ventura(ESP) 6-2,7-5

Simon Greul(GER) beat Daniel Gimeno-Traver(ESP) 6-3,6-4

Lukas Dlouhy(CZE) beat Go Soeda(JPN) 3-6, 6-2, 6-4

Dudi Sela(ISR) beat Ruben Ramirez-Hidalgo(ESP) 4-6,7-6,6-1


Men’s Doubles

Eric Butorac/Rajeev Ram beat Yuki Bhambri/Harsh Mankad 6-1,6-2

Oliver Marach/Janko Tipsarevic beat Pablo Andujar/Carlos Moya 3-6,6-3,10-4

Scott Lipsky/David Martin beat Rohan Bopanna/Flavio Cipolla 7-6,6-3
 

Final qualifying round – Men’s Singles

Danai Udomchoke(THA) beat Kyu Tae Im (KOR) 7-6, 6-1

Flavio Cipolla (ITA) beat Alex Satschko(GER) 6-3,6-1

Rajeev Ram(USA) beat Alexandre Kudryavtsev(RUS) 6-4,6-7,6-3

Rohan Bopanna(IND) beat Michael Berrer(GER) 4-6,6-3,6-4