The Hindu : Harsh is smiling again

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Nov 17, 2002

Sport

Sport - Tennis

Harsh is smiling again

By Kalyan Ashok

TERRIFIC TRIO: Harsh Mankad (left), the singles champion, with the doubles winners Vijay Kannan (centre) and Vishal Uppal, in the third ITF Futures tennis championship which concluded at Davangere on Saturday. — Photo: V. Sreenivasa Murthy

DAVANGERE Nov. 16. A fortnight ago at Chandigarh, disappointment was writ large on Indian Davis Cupper Harsh Mankad's face after narrowly losing the title to Russian rival, Ivanov. Today, however, Harsh was beaming with joy after overcoming a late challenge from fourth-seeded Nitin Kirtane 6-1, 7-6 (7-1) in 84 minutes to win the third ITF Futures tennis championship which concluded at the Davangere Tennis Club courts here.

Harsh was the firm favourite after his glorious run this week but he could not afford to take the seasoned southpaw Kirtane lightly as the latter had the ability the force his rivals into errors during rallies.

Harsh's game plan was simple — go out and get the job done quickly by killing the short balls instead of getting engaged in a baseline duel.

That's exactly what Harsh did in the first set as he charged to the net and whipped volleys with disdain. He also blasted aces and turned the heat on Kirtane with his all-court game.

Kirtane dropped the second and fourth games before salvaging a lone game in the fifth as Harsh wrapped up the set in the seventh game, with an ace and forehand volley winner.

Kirtane's misery continued in the second as he dropped the first game itself. He netted a return and slammed another one wide to go down 0-30.

With the pressure telling on him, he made a double fault to concede a break point and Harsh grabbed the chance with a well-timed forehand winner.

Up 3-1, Harsh was in cruise mode but slackened the pace and this suited Kirtane.

The latter came up with a barrage of shots from the baseline to keep Harsh back; Harsh slowly saw his game plan go awry as he was forced to fight from the back of the court and started to make unforced errors.

Kirtane cracked Harsh's serve in the sixth game, whipping a backhand volley winner and passing his opponent on the forehand side to earn a break point.

Harsh then feebly pushed into the net to drop the game. With the set tied 3-3, Kirtane went for his shots while Harsh was content with countering them.

Harsh had an opportunity to take the lead when he forced Kirtane to deuce in the 11th game with a smash, but the latter held on, thanks to a backhand volley and then forced Harsh to net a low volley.

With Kirtane leading 6-5, Harsh played superbly in the 12th game to win at love, finishing the game in style with an ace.

The tie-breaker turned out to be a one horse race though Kirtane took the first point as Harsh sent a forehand wide.

It was Harsh all the way as he took seven points in a row with a desperate Kirtane sending his returns long. Harsh moved up to matchpoint with an ace and took the match with a backhand volley.

"It was a good tie but my intensity dropped in the second set. I must admit that Kirtane played better than he did in the first. I am happy with the win here after losing the first at Chandigrah despite leading in the decider,'' said Harsh.

Harsh took home a cheque for $ 1,300 and collected 12 points for his effort while Nitin Kirtane won $ 900 and eight points.

It was a second straight title for top-seeded Vijay Kannan and Vishal Uppal who beat Ajay Ramaswamy and Sunil Kumar Sipeaya 6-3, 3-6, 7-5 in the doubles final. Vishal's strong presence at the net and Vijay's keen anticipation and effective first serves gave the pair the edge.

Ajay and Sunil did well to get back into the tie after dropping the first set with Ajay losing serve in the second game.

Ajay and Sunil broke Vijay's in the eighth game to take the second set 6-3.

The decider went with serve till the 12th game, before Sunil wilted while serving at 30-40 as he netted a powerful forehand from Vishal to give his opponents the crown. Vishal and Vijay claimed $ 3,330 and 12 points while Ajay and Sunil picked up $ 330 and eight points.

The results (finals):

Singles: Harsh Mankad bt 4-Nitin Kirtane 6-1, 7-6 (7-1).

Doubles: 1-Vishal Uppal/Vijay Kannan bt Ajay Ramaswamy/Sunil Kumar Sipaeya 6-3, 3-6, 7-5.

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